Doses - CARNITINE, LEVOCARNITINE, L-CARNITINE

Dogs:

For dogs with myocardial carnitine deficiency associated with dilated cardiomyopathy: 50 - 100 mg/kg PO tid (may be mixed in food). (Keene 1992)
Cats: As adjunctive dietary therapy in cats with severe hepatic lipidosis: 250 - 500 mg/day (50 - 100 mg/kg) PO for 2-4 weeks (Use L-carnitine only). (Center 1994)
Monitoring Parameters - 1) Efficacy; 2) Periodic blood chemistries have been recommended forhuman patients, their value in veterinary medicine is undetermined.
Client Information - Give with meals when possible to reduce likelihood of GI side effects. Themajority of dogs responding to carnitine therapy for dilated cardiomyopathy will require othermedication to control symptomatology.
Dosage Forms/Preparations/FDA Approval Status/Withholding Times - Veterinary-Approved Products: None

Human-Approved Products:

Levocarnitine Tablets 330 mg; Carnitor® (Sigma-Tau); (Rx)
Levocarnitine or L-Carnitine Capsules 250 mg; generic; (OTC¯as a food supplement)Levocarnitine Oral Solution 100 mg/ml in 118 ml bottles; Carnitor® (Sigma-Tau); VitaCarn(Kendall McGaw); (Rx)
Levocarnitine Injection 1 g/5 ml in 5 ml amps; Carnitor® (Sigma-Tau); (Rx)
Note: L-carnitine may also be available in bulk powder form from local health food stores