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Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Acetyl-L-Carnitine facilitates the transport of long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for β-oxidation, enhancing cellular energy production.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine facilitates the transport of long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for β-oxidation, thereby enhancing cellular energy production. Used for Age-related cognitive decline, Mild cognitive impairment, Peripheral neuropathy.
At a glance
| Generic name | Acetyl-L-Carnitine |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Nicetile, Chinese Food and Drug Administration H20180021, ALCAR, ALC |
| Sponsor | Dong-A ST Co., Ltd. |
| Drug class | Amino acid derivative / Metabolic agent |
| Target | Carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) system |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Neurology, Geriatrics, Metabolic disorders |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Acetyl-L-Carnitine is an acetylated form of L-carnitine that plays a crucial role in mitochondrial fatty acid metabolism. It acts as a carrier molecule that transports activated long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane, enabling their oxidation to generate ATP. Additionally, acetyl-L-carnitine serves as an acetyl donor and may have neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing properties through multiple pathways including acetylcholine synthesis and antioxidant effects.
Approved indications
- Age-related cognitive decline
- Mild cognitive impairment
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Fatigue and energy metabolism disorders
Common side effects
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Nausea
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Body odor (fish-like)
Key clinical trials
- The Effects of Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Myo/Chiro-Inositol in Patients With PCOS (NA)
- Trial on the Biological and Clinical Effects of Acetyl-L-carnitine in ALS (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- LIver FRAilty Management IN Cirrhosis (LIFRAMIN) (NA)
- Enhancing the Effects of Alcohol Treatment With L-Carnitine (PHASE1)
- Pilot Study: Impact of Biomarker-Guided Dietary Supplementation on Quality-of-Life Measures in Subjects With Chronic Pain (PHASE2)
- Clinical Trial to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of Jalosome® Soothing Gel. (NA)
- Independent and Additive Effects Of Micronutrients With Metformin In Patients With PCOS (NA)
- To Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of HSK16149 With L-carnitine in Diabetic Peripheral Neuralgia Patients in China (NA)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Dong-A ST Co., Ltd. portfolio CI