FDA Approved Carnitor® SF (Levocarnitine) Sugar-Free Oral Solution for Carnitine Deficiency

Filed in archive News , Treatment on June 25, 2007

The US FDA has recently approved Carnitor® SF (levocarnitine) Sugar-Free Oral Solution for the treatment of primary systemic carnitine deficiency and for acute and chronic treatment of patients with an inborn error of metabolism which results in a secondary carnitine deficiency.

Primary systemic carnitine deficiency is a very rare genetic disorder that typically presents in infants. Secondary carnitine deficiency may present in infants, children, and adults.

Factors contributing to carnitine deficiency may include inborn errors of metabolism, fanconi syndrome, chronic renal dialysis, carnitine-deficient diet, extreme prematurity, malabsorption, HIV infection or antiretroviral therapy, valproic acid (VPA) and a Ketogenic Diet.

Symptoms of secondary carnitine deficiency may include cardiomyopathy, encephalopathy, muscle weakness, anemia, and fatigue.

A product of Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals, Carnitor® SF (levocarnitine) Sugar-Free Oral Solution is the sugar-free version of Carnitor® (levocarnitine) Oral Solution (indicated for the same conditions as the SF version), more appropriate for patients with carnitine deficiency who also have diabetes or those who are on a Ketogenic Diet who need to limit sugar and carbohydrates.

Produced by the liver and kidneys - carnitine - functions as a carrier of fatty acids to the energy centers in muscles (mitochondria), thus, the deficiency can result in extreme muscle weakness and other related symptoms.

Carnitor® SF is the only FDA-approved prescription sugar-free oral solution of levocarnitine available. The product arrived in the market on June 22, 2007.

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