Other compounds

L-Carnitine: molecular data, studies & sources

L-Carnitine is catalogued here as a research compound. This profile brings together the molecular source record, selected indexed publications and available supplier comparisons. Evidence for a named substance does not authenticate a commercial product.

Compiled by PeptideTech Editors · Sources checked 2026-10-09 · Selected bibliography, not a systematic review

Molecular formula, weight & structure

Molecular formula (MF): C7H15NO3
Molecular weight (MW): 161.20 g/mol
PubChem compound ID: 10917
Record title: (-)-Carnitine

Supplier listings may contain a salt (tartrate, fumarate) or a solution; the structure describes L-carnitine itself.

Source: PubChem CID 10917 · retrieved 2026-10-09

2D molecular structure for L-Carnitine, PubChem CID 10917 — 2D depiction from PubChem. Open to inspect the full image. This drawing represents the selected record, not a vendor batch test.

Chemical identifiers and source data

IUPAC name: (3R)-3-hydroxy-4-(trimethylazaniumyl)butanoate
InChIKey: PHIQHXFUZVPYII-ZCFIWIBFSA-N
SMILES: C[N+](C)(C)C[C@@H](CC(=O)[O-])O

Machine-readable PubChem source

Identifiers

PubChem CID: 10917
CAS Registry Number: 541-15-1via ChemIDplus, EPA DSSTox, FDA GSRS
FDA UNII: 0G389FZZ9M
ChEMBL ID: CHEMBL1149
InChIKey: PHIQHXFUZVPYII-ZCFIWIBFSA-N
Wikidata: Q20735709

Other names and development codes: NSC-759132

CAS numbers are published only from ChemIDplus, EPA DSSTox or the FDA Global Substance Registration System; UNII codes are confirmed in FDA GSRS by structure, sequence or exact name. Checked 2026-10-09.

Calculated molecular descriptors

Monoisotopic (exact) mass	161.1052 Da
Heavy atoms	11
Hydrogen-bond donors	1
Hydrogen-bond acceptors	3
Rotatable bonds	4
Topological polar surface area	60.4 Å²
Calculated logP (Crippen)	-1.81
Rings	0
Stereocenters	1
Formal charge	0

Computed with RDKit from the published SMILES (Crippen logP, topological polar surface area). Calculated descriptors are not measured properties of a supplied batch.

US regulatory status & drug development

Drug development record (ChEMBL)

Harmonized drug-development record from ChEMBL. The highest clinical stage is the furthest stage reached, as recorded by ChEMBL; it can lag regulatory approvals, and it is not an approval of a research-supplier product.

ChEMBL ID: CHEMBL1149
Modality: Small molecule
Highest clinical stage: Approved in at least one jurisdiction (ChEMBL phase 4)
Record name: LEVOCARNITINE

Synonyms, codes and trade names

Synonyms and development codes: Levocarnitine · NSC-759132

Identity check: Identical standard InChIKey to the PubChem record. Source: ChEMBL CHEMBL1149 (EMBL-EBI, CC BY-SA 3.0) · retrieved 2026-10-09

Registered clinical trials

Studies registered on ClinicalTrials.gov that list L-Carnitine as an intervention. Studies that only measure the molecule as a biomarker, or use it only as a comparator or background arm for another drug, are excluded. A registration describes a planned or completed protocol; it does not report a result. Active studies are listed first.

40 registered studies matched, 16 currently active or recruiting, 1 with results posted on ClinicalTrials.gov.

By highest phase: Phase 4 · 6Phase 3 · 5Phase 2 · 13Phase 1 · 1Early phase 1 · 3Not applicable · 12
By registry status: Completed · 13Unknown · 9Recruiting · 8Active Not Recruiting · 4Not Yet Recruiting · 3Withdrawn · 2Enrolling By Invitation · 1

Study	Phase · status	Conditions	Sponsor · size
Role of Omega-DEK in Childhood Apraxia of SpeechNCT07216001 · start 2026-11 · primary completion 2027-12	Phase 2Not Yet Recruiting	Childhood Apraxia of Speech · Verbal Apraxia · Autism	Claudia R. Morris34 participants
The Effect of L-Carnitine on Wound Healing in Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcer.NCT07768228 · start 2026-09-01 · primary completion 2027-07-01	Phase 2Recruiting	Diabetic Foot Ulcer · Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU)	Ain Shams University50 participants
Evaluation of the Clinical Impact of Adjunctive L-carnitine Therapy in Critically Ill Hepatic Patients Admitted to Intensive Care UnitNCT07642076 · start 2026-06-15 · primary completion 2026-12	Phase 4Recruiting	Hepatic	Beni-Suef University58 participants
DMSO Dual-Route Therapy for Refractory Tinnitus in Long-COVID and Post-COVID-19 Vaccine InjuryNCT07567274 · start 2026-05-15 · primary completion 2026-07	Phase 2Enrolling By Invitation	Tinnitus	Leading Edge Clinic20 participants
The Effects of Carnitine Supplementation on Oocytes in Women Undergoing IVF ProcessNCT07783399 · start 2026-05-15 · primary completion 2026-09-01	Not applicableRecruiting	Infertility (IVF Patients)	The Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic Narodni Front70 participants
Effect of Magnesium and Levocarnitine on Metabolic and Clinical Outcomes in Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)NCT07298564 · start 2026-01-30 · primary completion 2026-10-30	Not applicableRecruiting	Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)	Behnood Abbasi84 participants
Impact of tdrd9 Gene Mutations in the Therapeutic Response to L-carnitine in Oligoasthenozoospermic MenNCT07402759 · start 2026-01-01 · primary completion 2026-06	Phase 3Active Not Recruiting	Oligoasthenozoospermia · Male Infertility	South Valley University50 participants
Effect of L-Carnitine Supplementation in Preterm NeonatesNCT07437391 · start 2026-01-01 · primary completion 2026-06-30	Not applicableRecruiting	Respiratory Distress Syndrome	Muhammad Aamir Latif160 participants
Oral Carnitine in Heart Failure PatientsNCT07201714 · start 2025-11-12 · primary completion 2026-12-31	Early phase 1Recruiting	Heart Failure · Carnitine Deficiency	London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's20 participants
Levocarnitine for Reducing ESA Requirements in Hemodialysis Patients With Renal AnemiaNCT07160452 · start 2025-09-15 · primary completion 2026-03-15	Phase 4Not Yet Recruiting	Anemia · Kidney Failure · End-Stage Renal Disease · Renal Dialysis	Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore94 participants

Show 30 more registered studies

Study	Phase · status	Conditions	Sponsor · size
A Study to Improve Skeletal Muscle in Veterans With HIVNCT06845046 · start 2025-07-15 · primary completion 2029-03-30	Not applicableRecruiting	HIV · Obesity	VA Office of Research and Development70 participants
Effect of L-Carnitine on Biomarkers of Myocardial Reperfusion Injury in Patients With STEMINCT06564909 · start 2025-06-01 · primary completion 2026-12	Phase 2Active Not Recruiting	Reperfusion Injury, Myocardial · Myocardial Infarction	Ain Shams University76 participants
Enteral Nutrition With L-Carnitine for Cachexia in Non-Small Cell Lung CancerNCT07035444 · start 2025-06-30 · primary completion 2026-06-30	Not applicableNot Yet Recruiting	Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer · Cachexia	Daping Hospital and the Research Institute of Surgery of the Third Military Medical University126 participants
Peritoneal Ultrafiltration in Cardio Renal Syndrome.NCT03994874 · start 2025-04-16 · primary completion 2026-12	Phase 1 / Phase 2Recruiting	Congestive Heart Failure	Iperboreal Pharma Srl84 participants
Effect of L-carnitine Supplementation on Phenylalanine and Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Infants and Children With PhenylketonuriaNCT06901323 · start 2025-02-01 · primary completion 2026-03-01	Phase 4Active Not Recruiting	Phenylketonuria	Mansoura University176 participants
Using Gut Microbial Gbu Gene Testing to Estimate Host TMAO Production CapacityNCT05980884 · start 2023-07-24 · primary completion 2026-04-25	Not applicableActive Not Recruiting	Gut Dysbiosis for TMAO Production From L-carnitine Consumption	National Taiwan University Hospital230 participants
Effect of L-carnitine on Disease Activity in Patients With Mild to Moderate Knee OsteoarthritisNCT06960694 · start 2025-06-28 · primary completion 2025-11-19	Phase 2Completed	Knee Osteoarthritis	Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh66 participants
Safety and Efficacy of the Combination Therapy of Fucoidan / Fucoxanthin / L-carnitine in Patients With Diabetic Nephropathy.NCT07804641 · start 2024-11-06 · primary completion 2025-11-05	Phase 2Completed	Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD)	Taipei Medical University WanFang Hospital63 participants
Effects of L-carnitine and Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Oxidative Stress in Tunisian Hemodialysis Patients.NCT07303088 · start 2024-06-17 · primary completion 2024-11-30	Not applicableCompleted	Oxidative Stress Response · Hemodialysis · End Stage Kidney Disease (ESRD)	University of Sfax52 participants
Carnitine Supplementation in Pediatric Hemodialysis PatientsNCT05948124 · start 2023-08-01 · primary completion 2024-02-01	Early phase 1Unknown	Carnitine Deficiency Due to Hemodialysis	Ain Shams University40 participants
The Efficacy of L-Carnitine in the Management of Acute Clozapine IntoxicationNCT05632094 · start 2023-06 · primary completion 2024-06	Phase 2Unknown	Clozapine Poisoning	Alexandria University40 participants
Evaluation of Treatment With Coenzyme Q10 and L-Carnitine on Semen Parameters in Infertile Men With Idiopathic OligoasthenoteratospermiaNCT06342856 · start 2023-06-15 · primary completion 2024-06-01	Early phase 1Unknown	Infertility Unexplained · Oligospermia	Ain Shams University120 participants
Evaluation of the Impact of L- Carnitine in Intradialytic Hypotension in Pediatric Patients on Regular HemodialysisNCT05905692 · start 2023-05-30 · primary completion 2023-12-10	Phase 3Unknown	Intradialytic Hypotension	Ain Shams University50 participants
L-carnitine in Modulating Pain and Inflammation in Rheumatoid ArthritisNCT05792527 · start 2023-03-05 · primary completion 2025-03-05	Phase 3Unknown	Rheumatoid Arthritis	Tanta University46 participants
Effects of L-carnitine Therapy on the Heart of Maintenance Hemodialysis PatientsNCT05673239 · start 2023-01-15 · primary completion 2023-06-30	Phase 4Completed	Renal Dialysis	The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University1008 participants
Impact of Hemodialysis on Plasma Carnitine Levels in Patients With End Stage Renal DiseaseNCT05817799 · start 2023-01-01 · primary completion 2023-07-02	Phase 2 / Phase 3Completed	Hemodialysis Complication	Bahria University83 participants
Effects of L-Carnitine on Gastric Emptying in Children With Drug Resistant Epilepsy on Ketogenic DietNCT06255873 · start 2023-01-20 · primary completion 2023-09-22	Not applicableCompleted	Ketogenic Diet	Ain Shams University30 participants
The Efficacy of L-Carnitine in the Management of Acute Carbon Monoxide PoisoningNCT05647707 · start 2022-12-15 · primary completion 2023-04-15	Phase 2Unknown	Carbon Monoxide Poisoning	Alexandria University72 participants
Preventive Effect of Acetyl-L-carnitine on Oxaliplatin-induced Peripheral NeuropathyNCT05601479 · start 2022-11-01 · primary completion 2024-12-31	Phase 2Unknown	Acetylcarnitine · Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy	Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University100 participants
Comparison of Acetyl- L- Carnitine& Folic Acid Versus Coenzyme Q10& Folic Acid on Semen& Hormonal Parameters& Semen Oxidative Status in Patients of Primary Infertility. A Double Blind Randomized Clinical TrialNCT05616000 · start 2022-08-06 · primary completion 2022-11-28	Phase 2Completed	Infertility	Khyber Medical University Peshawar86 participants
Clinical Study to Evaluate the Possible Efficacy and Safety of L- Carnitine and Sildenafil in Children Having Beta Thalassemia With Increased Tricuspid Regurgitant Jet VelocityNCT05584956 · start 2022-07-08 · primary completion 2023-07-08	Phase 3Unknown	Beta Thalassemia With Increased Tricuspid Regurgitant Jet Velocity	Tanta University44 participants
High-dose L-Carnitine and Diaphragmatic Function Assessed by Ultrasonography in Patients With Respiratory Failure.NCT05322447 · start 2022-04-15 · primary completion 2022-08-04	Phase 4Completed	Respiratory Failure	Ain Shams University60 participants
Carnitine Consumption and Augmentation in Pulmonary Arterial HypertensionNCT04908397 · start 2021-09-29 · primary completion 2023-06-01	Phase 1CompletedResults posted 2025-02-13	Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension · Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension · Primary Pulmonary Hypertension · Lung Diseases · Carnitine Nutritional Deficiency	Vanderbilt University Medical Center10 participants
Hyperthyroidism: Methimazole Plus L-carnitine and SeleniumNCT04946123 · start 2021-07-05 · primary completion 2025-06-04	Not applicableCompleted	Hyperthyroidism	Lo.Li.Pharma s.r.l60 participants
Clinical Study to Evaluate the Effect of Food Supplement in People Infected With CoronavirusNCT05446961 · start 2021-03-01 · primary completion 2021-09-01	Phase 2Completed	COVID-19 Virus Infection	SENAI CIMATEC224 participants
Efficacy and Safety of Acetyl L-Carnitine in COVID-19 Patients With Mild-to-Moderate DiseaseNCT04623619 · start 2020-12-15 · primary completion 2021-04-29	Not applicableUnknown	Covid19	Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Paolo Giaccone Palermo100 participants
Oral L-carnitine and Inflammatory and Nutritional Biomarkers in Maintenance HemodialysisNCT07249229 · start 2020-11-30 · primary completion 2021-02-28	Phase 2Completed	End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD) · Hemodialysis	Darya Chamani50 participants
L-carnitine for Reducing Cardio-metabolic Risk in Patients With Obstructive Sleep ApneaNCT02645942 · start 2020-08 · primary completion 2020-12	Not applicableWithdrawnWhy stopped: Study stopped due to organization reasons.	Obstructive Sleep Apnea	Poznan University of Medical SciencesEnrollment not listed
L-carnitine and COH in PCOS Women Undergoing IVF/ICSI CyclesNCT04672720 · start 2020-03-01 · primary completion 2022-12-29	Not applicableCompleted	Polycystic Ovary Syndrome	Royan Institute110 participants
Effects of L-Carnitine Supplementation on Respiratory Distress SyndromeNCT03630367 · start 2018-10-03 · primary completion 2020-09	Phase 4WithdrawnWhy stopped: Unavailability of the medication	Premature Birth	Assiut UniversityEnrollment not listed

Registry check 2026-10-09 · Run this search on ClinicalTrials.gov

Human intervention studies

Selected studies in which participants received L-Carnitine, with their indexed or reviewed study type. Check the original article for the formulation, population and controls. Studies that only measured the molecule, or used it as a comparator, are listed separately below and are not counted as intervention studies.

No human study that administered this compound was retained in this selected bibliography. This is a documented evidence gap in our selection, not proof that no study exists.

Preclinical research, reviews & other publications

Animal studies, laboratory experiments, reviews and other indexed papers answer different questions. A review is secondary evidence; a case report does not estimate how often an outcome occurs.

Review · secondary evidence
L-carnitine--metabolic functions and meaning in humans life.
Pekala J, Patkowska-Sokoła B, Bodkowski R et al. · Current drug metabolism · 2011
PMID 21561431 · DOI: 10.2174/138920011796504536
Review · secondary evidence
l-Carnitine Supplementation in Recovery after Exercise.
Fielding R, Riede L, Lugo JP et al. · Nutrients · 2018
PMID 29534031 · DOI: 10.3390/nu10030349
Review · secondary evidence
Propionyl-L-carnitine.
Wiseman LR, Brogden RN · Drugs & aging · 1998
PMID 9534023 · DOI: 10.2165/00002512-199812030-00006
Research publication · design requires review
L-carnitine: to fuel or not to fuel the failing heart?
Ntalianis A · Hellenic journal of cardiology : HJC = Hellenike kardiologike epitheorese · 2020
PMID 32659261 · DOI: 10.1016/j.hjc.2020.04.019
Review · secondary evidence
Pharmacokinetics of L-carnitine.
Evans AM, Fornasini G · Clinical pharmacokinetics · 2003
PMID 12908852 · DOI: 10.2165/00003088-200342110-00002
Review · secondary evidence
Acetyl-L-carnitine for dementia.
Hudson S, Tabet N · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2003
PMID 12804452 · DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003158
Research publication · design requires review
L-carnitine.
· The Medical letter on drugs and therapeutics · 2004
PMID 15557875
Review · secondary evidence
L-Carnitine.
Walter JH · Archives of disease in childhood · 1996
PMID 8758120 · DOI: 10.1136/adc.74.6.475

L-Carnitine supplier sources

Scientific sources describe molecules and experiments. The commercial links below identify recorded supplier packages. A publication or chemical database entry does not verify the seller, purity, sterility or contents of a lot. Some links are affiliate links; see our disclosure.

No priced supplier offers are currently available in this catalog view. The research record remains available independently of stock.

Reference sources & further reading

PubChem compound record 10917 — chemical identity and structure.
ChEMBL drug record CHEMBL1149 — development stage, mechanism and synonyms.
FDA Global Substance Registration System: UNII 0G389FZZ9M — substance identity, names and codes.

The citations above link directly to publication records. Encyclopedia links are background reading and are not used to establish clinical effectiveness.

Search for additional research

These links run searches; their results have not been individually reviewed and can include unrelated compounds.

Research information is not a dosing guide or a recommendation for personal use. Study findings are specific to the formulation, population and methods tested. Read our source and correction policy.