L-carnitine
levocarnitine · Carnitor
A compound that helps carry fats to where cells burn them for energy. Levocarnitine is a medicine for carnitine deficiency. Injections for weight loss or performance are a different use.
This site is for information and education only. It does not promote or encourage the use or purchase of the substances described and is not medical advice. Many are not authorised as medicines and their safety has not been established. We sell nothing and have no ties to sellers. For health decisions, consult a doctor.
- Type
- Nutrient
- Stage
- Approved medicine
- Safety
- Well known
- Risk of fakes
- Not known
- Checked
- Not yet
Doping. The substance is not on the WADA list, but drips and injections above 100 mL in 12 hours are banned, except in hospital care and medical tests.
Safety. The US label lists severe allergic reactions. Gut bacteria turn carnitine into TMAO, which a study in mice and people linked to clogged arteries. Neither source describes injections for weight loss. Sources: US drug label, study 1.
Risk of fakes. We found no tests of products sold outside pharmacies.
Is it legal
| Where | Status | Checked | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PL | No approval | The European medicines database (EMA) lists no levocarnitine medicine in Poland, but does in 11 EU countries (9 October 2026). The Polish register was down. This covers medicines, not supplements. Source | Not yet |
| EU | Approved medicine | No EU-wide approval. Levocarnitine is approved separately in 11 EU countries, as injections in several, including Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Greece (European medicines database, EMA, 9 October 2026). The database does not confirm use for weight loss. Source | Not yet |
| US | Prescription only | Prescription medicine (levocarnitine). Source | Not yet |
How much research exists
Scientific papers per year 2015–2025
These are search results. A count shows how much exists, not how good the studies are. 1 Nov 2026.
What studies show
- CFat loss
Conflicting results. Results differ. One study found no change in overweight women, while pooled analyses report a small loss, about 1.33 kg in one. These are studies of supplements, not injections.
Reported side effects
What doctors, patients and companies reported to the US medicines agency (FDA), and single cases described in medical journals. A report says what happened to someone after taking the substance. It does not prove the substance caused it, and it does not say how often it happens. Reports do not change any grade.
Cases described in medical journals
- Massive Valproic Acid Overdose With Confirmed Pharmacobezoar Formation and Neuromuscular Toxicity: A Case Report and Literature Review.
- When Overdose Strikes: Successful Use of Hemodialysis in Valproic Acid Toxicity.
- L-Asparaginase-Induced Hepatotoxicity Treated Successfully With L-Carnitine and Vitamin B Infusion.
- L-carnitine supplementation as a potential therapy for suspected hyperammonaemic encephalopathy.
- L-carnitine and Vitamin B Complex for PEG-L-asparaginase-Induced Hepatotoxicity.
- L-carnitine Improved the Cardiac Function via the Effect on Myocardial Fatty Acid Metabolism in a Hemodialysis Patient.
FDA reports come from openFDA, cases from a PubMed search. The editors have not read these cases yet. Titles stay in the original language. As of 3 Nov 2026.
Studies we have read
More papers we found
We found these papers automatically in PubMed. The editors have not read them yet, and they do not affect any grade. Titles stay in the original language.
Short answers
- Does L-carnitine work?
- A compound that helps carry fats to where cells burn them for energy. Levocarnitine is a medicine for carnitine deficiency. Injections for weight loss or performance are a different use. Fat loss: grade C, conflicting results. Results differ. One study found no change in overweight women, while pooled analyses report a small loss, about 1.33 kg in one. These are studies of supplements, not injections.
- Is L-carnitine legal?
- PL: No approval. The European medicines database (EMA) lists no levocarnitine medicine in Poland, but does in 11 EU countries (9 October 2026). The Polish register was down. This covers medicines, not supplements. EU: Approved medicine. No EU-wide approval. Levocarnitine is approved separately in 11 EU countries, as injections in several, including Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Greece (European medicines database, EMA, 9 October 2026). The database does not confirm use for weight loss. US: Prescription only. Prescription medicine (levocarnitine).
- Is L-carnitine banned in sport?
- Not on the list, WADA 2026. The substance is not on the WADA list, but drips and injections above 100 mL in 12 hours are banned, except in hospital care and medical tests.
- Is L-carnitine safe?
- Well known. The US label lists severe allergic reactions. Gut bacteria turn carnitine into TMAO, which a study in mice and people linked to clogged arteries. Neither source describes injections for weight loss.