L-Carnitine (100mg)
Table of Contents
Quickstart Highlights
L-Carnitine (100mg) is an amino acid derivative essential for fatty acid transport into mitochondria, where it facilitates β-oxidation and energy production[1]. Subcutaneous administration bypasses intestinal conversion to trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a metabolite associated with cardiovascular concerns[4], while providing 100% bioavailability compared to 5–18% for large oral doses[3]. This educational protocol presents a once-daily subcutaneous approach optimized for insulin-syringe measurements.
- Reconstitute: Add 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water → 100 mg/mL concentration (1 unit = 1 mg).
- Target dose:50–100 mg once daily (gradual titration); advanced protocols may use up to 200 mg.
- Easy measuring: At 100 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL = 1 mg on a U-100 insulin syringe.
- Storage: Lyophilized: freeze at −20 °C (−4 °F); after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and use within 2–4 weeks; do not freeze reconstituted solution.
Dosing & Reconstitution Guide
Standard / Gradual Approach (2.0 mL = 100 mg/mL)
| Week | Daily Dose | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 50 mg | 50 units (0.50 mL) |
| Weeks 3–8 | 100 mg | 100 units (1.0 mL) |
| Weeks 9–12 | 100 mg | 100 units (1.0 mL) |
Frequency: Inject once daily subcutaneously. This 2.0 mL reconstitution provides optimal concentration for convenient dosing: 100 mg maintenance dose = exactly 1.0 mL (100 units)[8]. For advanced protocols requiring 150–200 mg daily, doses above 1.0 mL may be split into two injections at different sites to improve comfort.
Reconstitution Steps
- Draw 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) with a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the vial wall to minimize foaming; avoid direct stream onto powder.
- Gently swirl or roll the vial until powder is fully dissolved (do not shake vigorously).
- Label vial with reconstitution date and refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), protected from light.
- Use within 2–4 weeks; bacteriostatic water preservative inhibits microbial growth during multi-dose use[6].
Protocol Overview
Concise summary of the once-daily subcutaneous regimen.
- Goal: Support mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and energy metabolism while avoiding TMAO production associated with oral dosing[4].
- Schedule : Daily subcutaneous injections for 8–12 weeks (extend to 16 weeks if desired).
- Dose Range : 50–100 mg daily with gradual titration; advanced protocols may use up to 200 mg daily.
- Reconstitution :2.0 mL per 200 mg vial (100 mg/mL) for precise 1:1 unit-to-milligram measurement.
- Storage : Lyophilized: refrigerate or freeze; reconstituted: refrigerate; avoid repeated freeze–thaw.
Dosing Protocol
Suggested daily titration approach based on clinical literature.
- Start : 50 mg daily for Weeks 1–2 to assess tolerance and monitor for injection-site reactions[8].
- Target: Increase to 100 mg daily from Week 3 onward; this is a reasonable maintenance dose for most research purposes[8].
- Advanced: Up to 200 mg daily for robust experimental protocols, if clearly supported by research findings[8].
- Frequency: Once per day subcutaneously (any consistent time; morning or pre-exercise commonly used).
- Cycle Length:8–12 weeks; optional extension to 16 weeks with continued monitoring.
- Site Rotation: Rotate injection sites systematically (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to prevent tissue irritation.
Storage Instructions
Proper storage preserves peptide stability and potency.
- Lyophilized: Store at −20 °C (−4 °F) or below in dry, dark conditions; minimize moisture exposure. Keep vial tightly sealed. Stable for months to years when frozen[13].
- Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) immediately after mixing. Do not freeze reconstituted solution as this can degrade the peptide[8].
- Stability timeline: With bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol), reconstituted L-Carnitine remains usable for 2–4 weeks when refrigerated[8][13]. Benzyl alcohol suppresses bacterial growth during multi-dose use[6].
- Before use: Allow refrigerated vials to reach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation. Inspect solution before each use; discard if discolored or contains precipitates.
- Avoid freeze–thaw cycles: Repeated freezing and thawing degrades peptide integrity; aliquot into smaller vials if long-term storage is needed[13].
Suppilies Needed
Plan based on an 8–16 week daily protocol using 100 mg maintenance dose (most common). If starting with 50 mg titration (Weeks 1–2), subtract ~3–4 vials from totals below.
- Peptide Vials (L-Carnitine, 200 mg each):
-
- 8 weeks (56 days @ 100 mg/day) ≈ 28 vials
- 12 weeks (84 days @ 100 mg/day) ≈ 42 vials
- 16 weeks (112 days @ 100 mg/day) ≈ 56 vials
- Insulin Syringes (U-100, 1 mL capacity): </b
-
- Per week: 7 syringes (1/day)
- 8 weeks: 56 syringes
- 12 weeks: 84 syringes
- 16 weeks: 112 syringes
- Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): Use 2.0 mL per vial for reconstitution.
-
- 8 weeks (28 vials): 56 mL → 6 × 10 mL bottles
- 12 weeks (42 vials): 84 mL → 9 × 10 mL bottles
- 16 weeks (56 vials): 112 mL → 12 × 10 mL bottles
- Alcohol Swabs: One for vial stopper + one for injection site each day.
-
- Per week: 14 swabs (2/day)
- 8 weeks: 112 swabs → recommend 2 × 100-count boxes
- 12 weeks: 168 swabs → recommend 2 × 100-count boxes
- 16 weeks: 224 swabs → recommend 3 × 100-count boxes
- Sharps Container: For safe disposal of used syringes and needles.
Important Notes
Practical considerations for consistency, safety, and optimal results.
- Sterile technique: Use new sterile insulin syringes for each injection; never reuse needles or syringes.
- Site rotation: Rotate injection sites systematically (abdomen at least 2 inches from navel, outer thighs, upper arms) to reduce local irritation and prevent lipohypertrophy[11].
- Injection speed: Inject slowly (over several seconds) to minimize discomfort; wait 5–10 seconds before withdrawing needle to prevent leakage[6].
- Room temperature: Allow refrigerated solution to warm slightly (to room temperature) before injecting to reduce pain[6].
- Documentation: Keep a log of daily dose, injection site, and any observations (tolerance, energy levels) to maintain consistency.
- Sharps disposal: Immediately dispose of used needles and syringes in an approved sharps container; never recap needles by hand.
How This Works
L-Carnitine is a quaternary ammonium compound biosynthesized from lysine and methionine that plays a critical role in energy metabolism. It acts as an obligate cofactor for the carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) enzyme system, which shuttles long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane for β-oxidation[1]. This process is essential for ATP production from fat stores, particularly during prolonged exercise or caloric restriction.
Clinical and preclinical studies indicate L-Carnitine supplementation can enhance fat oxidation, reduce body weight, and improve exercise performance in certain populations[2][5]. A meta-analysis of 37 randomized controlled trials found approximately 2,000 mg/day oral L-Carnitine yields modest weight-loss effects (~1.2 kg), with diminishing returns above that dose[2].
Why subcutaneous over oral? Oral L-Carnitine has poor bioavailability (5–18% at high doses) due to saturable intestinal absorption[3]. Furthermore, unabsorbed carnitine is metabolized by gut bacteria into trimethylamine (TMA), which is converted to trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) in the liver—a metabolite linked to increased cardiovascular risk[4][9]. Subcutaneous or intravenous administration provides 100% bioavailability and bypasses TMAO production, as demonstrated in animal models where parenteral L-Carnitine did not promote atherosclerosis unlike oral dosing[4].
In hemodialysis patients with carnitine deficiency, intravenous L-Carnitine (10–40 mg/kg after dialysis sessions) significantly increased plasma carnitine levels, reduced fatigue, and preserved exercise capacity over 24 weeks with excellent tolerability[5]. High-dose intravenous protocols (up to 50 mg/kg daily, ~3,500 mg for a 70 kg person) have been used safely in patients with metabolic disorders[8], indicating a wide therapeutic margin.
Potential Benefits & Side Effects
Observations from clinical and preclinical literature on L-Carnitine supplementation.
Potential Benefits:
- Enhanced fat metabolism: Facilitates mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and ATP production from lipid stores[1].
- Weight management: Meta-analysis shows modest weight loss (~1.2 kg average) and reduction in BMI with oral supplementation at ~2 g/day[2].
- Exercise performance: May improve exercise capacity and reduce fatigue, particularly in carnitine-deficient populations[5].
- Avoids TMAO production: Subcutaneous route bypasses gut bacterial conversion to TMAO, potentially reducing cardiovascular risk associated with oral dosing[4][9].
- Energy support: Clinical studies in dialysis patients show reduced fatigue and improved well-being with parenteral L-Carnitine[5].
Potential Side Effects:
- Injection-site reactions: Mild redness, swelling, or irritation at injection sites (typically transient). Rotate sites systematically to minimize[6].
- Gastrointestinal effects (oral): High oral doses (>3 g/day) can cause nausea, diarrhea, and fishy body odor from metabolite accumulation[9]. Subcutaneous administration minimizes these effects by reducing required dose and avoiding first-pass gut metabolism[8].
- Generally well-tolerated: Clinical trials report good safety profiles with parenteral L-Carnitine, even at high doses (up to 50 mg/kg IV daily)[5][8].
- Note: This information is for educational purposes only. Individual responses may vary. Consult appropriate resources before beginning any supplementation protocol.
Lifestyle Factors
Complementary strategies to optimize L-Carnitine’s metabolic effects.
- Balanced nutrition: Pair with a protein-forward diet (1.6–2.2 g/kg bodyweight) to support lean mass retention during fat loss. Ensure adequate essential amino acids (lysine and methionine) for endogenous carnitine synthesis[1].
- Exercise synergy: Combine resistance training (3–5×/week) with aerobic activity (150+ min/week moderate intensity) to maximize fat oxidation and metabolic adaptations. L-Carnitine’s effects on fat metabolism are enhanced during exercise[2].
- Caloric management: Create a modest caloric deficit (300–500 kcal/day) if fat loss is the goal. L-Carnitine does not override energy balance but may enhance fat utilization within a deficit[2].
- Sleep optimization: Prioritize 7–9 hours of quality sleep nightly to support recovery, hormonal balance, and adherence to training/nutrition protocols.
- Hydration: Maintain adequate fluid intake (minimum 2–3 liters/day, more with exercise) to support metabolic processes and overall health.
- Stress management: Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which can impair fat loss and recovery. Incorporate stress-reduction practices (meditation, breathing exercises, adequate rest).
Injection Technique
Proper subcutaneous injection technique based on CDC guidelines and clinical best practices[11][12].
Preparation:
- Hand hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Materials:Gather sterile U-100 insulin syringe (1 mL capacity, 25–30 gauge needle), alcohol swabs, sharps container, and refrigerated L-Carnitine vial.
- Warm vial: Allow vial to reach room temperature (or roll gently between palms) to reduce injection discomfort[6].
- Vial prep: Swab rubber stopper with alcohol and allow to dry (~30 seconds).
- Draw dose: Insert needle through stopper, draw prescribed volume (e.g., 100 units = 1.0 mL for 100 mg dose), and expel any air bubbles by tapping syringe and pushing plunger slightly.
Injection Procedure:
- Site selection: Choose a fatty subcutaneous area. Common sites include[11]:
- Abdomen (at least 2 inches away from navel)
- Outer thigh (middle third, avoiding inner thigh)
- Upper outer arm (triceps region, if sufficient subcutaneous tissue)
- Site rotation: Keep a rotation log to avoid using the same site within 1–2 weeks. This prevents lipohypertrophy and tissue damage[11].
- Skin antisepsis: Clean injection site with alcohol swab using outward circular motion; allow to dry completely (~30 seconds).
- Needle insertion: Pinch a fold of skin (1–2 inches) between thumb and forefinger. Insert needle at a 45° angle (or 90° if using very short needle and ample subcutaneous tissue) into the subcutaneous fat layer[11][12].
- No aspiration needed: Aspiration (pulling back on plunger) is not necessary for subcutaneous injections, as there are no large blood vessels in subcutaneous tissue[11].
- Inject slowly: Depress plunger steadily over 3–5 seconds to minimize discomfort. Injecting volumes <1.0 mL causes minimal pain; larger volumes (1.5–2.0 mL) may be split into two separate injections[6].
- Wait before withdrawal: After full injection, wait 5–10 seconds before withdrawing needle to prevent solution leakage.
- Needle removal: Withdraw needle at the same angle as insertion. Release skin pinch.
Post-Injection:
- Inject solution at room temperature (not cold from refrigerator) to reduce pain[6].
- Use fresh needles for each injection; dull or reused needles increase pain and infection risk.
- Relax muscles at injection site; tension increases discomfort.
- Benzyl alcohol in bacteriostatic water causes less injection pain than other preservatives (e.g., m-cresol)[6].
Tips for Comfort:
- Pressure/bleeding: Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or cotton ball if slight bleeding occurs (uncommon). Do not rub the injection site vigorously.
- Sharps disposal: Immediately place used syringe and needle into an approved sharps container. Never recap needles or dispose in regular trash[12].
- Documentation: Record date, time, dose, and injection site in your protocol log.
Recommended Source
We recommend Go Alpha Labsfor high‑purity DSIP (10mg).
Why Go Alpha Labs?
- Verifies ≥99% purity through independent lab testing
- Trusted by researchers seeking reliable results
- Follows rigorous manufacturing standards for consistent quality
This content is intended for therapeutic educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
References:
| Source | Link |
|---|---|
| Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2020) – Sawicka AK et al. The bright and the dark sides of L-carnitine supplementation: dose ranges, mechanisms, and metabolic effects | View Source |
| Clinical Nutrition ESPEN (2020) – Talenezhad N et al. Meta-analysis of 37 RCTs: ~1.2 kg weight loss at ~2,000 mg/day oral L-carnitine with diminishing returns (PMID: 32359762) | View Source |
| Clinical Pharmacokinetics (2003) – Evans AM & Fornasini G. Oral L-carnitine bioavailability only 5–18% at high doses vs. higher parenteral absorption (PMID: 12908852) | View Source |
| Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (2018) – Zhao Y et al. Subcutaneous L-carnitine bypasses gut bacterial TMAO production and does not promote atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice (PMID: 29178259) | View Source |
| American Journal of Kidney Diseases (2001) – Brass EP et al. IV L-carnitine (10–40 mg/kg post-dialysis, 3×/week) improves fatigue and exercise capacity with strong safety (PMID: 11325685) | View Source |
| Advances in Therapy (2019) – Usach I et al. Subcutaneous injection review: volumes <0.8 mL reduce pain; abdomen preferred; formulation matters (PMID: 31529256) | View Source |
| CDC Pink Book (14th Edition) – Vaccine Administration (Chapter 6): subcutaneous injection technique, angle (45–90°), site selection, no aspiration | View Source |
| Drugs.com (2024) – Levocarnitine (Carnitor) dosing: IV 50 mg/kg/day; dialysis 10–20 mg/kg; doses up to 300 mg/kg/day reported safe | View Source |
| NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (2022) – Carnitine Health Professional Fact Sheet: adverse effects of high oral doses and TMAO formation | View Source |
| Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University (2022) – L-Carnitine Micronutrient Information Center: FDA-approved uses and safety overview | View Source |
| CDC – Vaccine Administration Guidelines: subcutaneous injection angle, site rotation, no aspiration | View Source |
| NCBI Bookshelf – Clinical Procedures: Best practices in injection administration (asepsis, preparation, sharps disposal) | View Source |
| SB Peptide – Peptide handling and storage guidelines: lyophilized and reconstituted stability, freeze–thaw avoidance | View Source |
| Pure Lab Peptides – L-Carnitine (200 mg) product page with third-party COA and batch documentation | View Source |