Hello, My 10 month old daughter (complex partial to secondary gen. seizures; idiopathic epilepsy) has been prescribed Carnitine. Her blood carnitine levels were normal but our ped. neurologist thinks that it will help increase her energy levels... She is a bit drowsy from the AEDs. I can't find much ibfo on line... Does anyone have any input on this drug? I know Valproic Acid is known to bring down carnitide levels but our daughter is not on this drug... Thank you.
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In addition to valproate, low levels of carnitine have also been linked to carbamazepine. But if she's not on either of those meds, and shows no signs of a carnitine deficiency (like muscle tone issues), then it seems a bit of a stretch to prescribe it. Most people get plenty in their diet, since it's found in dairy, meat, poultry, and fish).
That said, there's no risk from adding extra carnitine, and it's prescribed in a wide variety of circumstances to boost energy, even in folks who don't have deficiencies. So it may well help your daughter.
That said, there's no risk from adding extra carnitine, and it's prescribed in a wide variety of circumstances to boost energy, even in folks who don't have deficiencies. So it may well help your daughter.
