Impact of L-carnitine in narcolepsy treatment: a systematic review on the effectiveness and safety

Introduction Studies have shown that narcolepsy patients may present with low serum acylcarnitine levels, demonstrating a dysfunctional beta fatty acid oxidation pathway in these patients. Objective Evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of L-carnitine as a treatment for narcolepsy patients. Methods This study runned in form of systematic review. The terms used for the search: (“narcolepsy”[MeSH Terms] OR “narcolepsy”[All Fields]) AND (“carnitine”[MeSH Terms] OR “carnitine”[All Fields] OR “l carnitine”[All Fields]). Were included all surveys published until January 2021, with the diagnosis of narcolepsy, that performed drug treatment with I-carnitine. The clinical endpoints of interest were: excessive daytime sleepiness, dissociative REM sleep manifestations: cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations, and early REM sleep (REM sleep naps, SOREMP). Results L-carnitine was found to be well-tolerated and without side effects in all surveys, at dosages ranging from 500 to 510 mg/day. Newborns did not present complications during delivery. Conclusion This study corroborates the efficacy and good tolerability of L-carnitine therapy as a treatment for patients with narcolepsy, including during pregnancy.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Impact of L-carnitine in narcolepsy treatment: a systematic review on the effectiveness and safety ; volume:15 ; number:S 01 ; year:2022 ; pages:278-284 ; 01 ; Sleep science ; 15, Heft S 01 (2022), 278-284, 01

Contributors, Places and Time

• Contributor: Salles, Cristina ; Freitas, Maria Clara ; Cruz, Miguel Meira e.

Further information

• DOI: 10.5935/1984-0063.20220004
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2024011811071640793858
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:20 AM CEST