UBICAR TABLETS (Each film-coated tablet contains Ubidecarenone BP/L-Carnitine 30mg/500mg)

Mechanism of action

Levocarnitine acts as a carrier molecule for long-chain fatty acids, transporting them into mitochondria for beta-oxidation, which is critical for energy production. It also exports acyl groups from subcellular organelles and cells to urine, preventing toxic accumulation. The mechanism of action includes interactions with carnitine transporters, translocases, and acetyltransferases. Additionally, it normalizes the brain's redox state and enhances urea synthesis in the liver, potentially activating the glucocorticoid receptor. L-carnitine's antagonistic effects on thyroid hormone action, including inhibiting its nuclear entry, contribute to its therapeutic applications.

Pharmacodynamics

Levocarnitine plays a significant role in lipid metabolism and energy production through its involvement in the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria. A deficiency in carnitine can lead to various metabolic issues, including liver, heart, and muscle dysfunction. The therapeutic use of levocarnitine includes its ability to stimulate gastric and pancreatic secretions and treat hyperlipoproteinemias. The L-isomer of carnitine is specifically active in lipid metabolism, and its deficiency can be identified through biochemical markers such as low plasma concentrations of free carnitine and elevated acylcarnitine levels.

Pharmacokinetics

Levocarnitine is absorbed in the intestines and distributed throughout the body tissues. It is primarily metabolized in the liver, with excretion occurring via urine. The pharmacokinetics of levocarnitine can vary based on dietary intake, physiological status, and specific health conditions that may affect its metabolism and clearance. The bioavailability of levocarnitine may also be

Adverse effects

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea
• Fishy body odor
• Rash
• Seizures (rare)

Interactions

• Anticoagulants may have altered effects.
• Thyroid hormones may have altered action due to L-carnitine's peripheral antagonism.

Precautions

• Use with caution in patients with renal impairment.
• Monitor for potential interactions with other medications.

Pregnancy

Limited data is available on the use of levocarnitine during pregnancy. Use only if clearly needed and after assessing benefits versus risks.

Breast-feeding

Levocarnitine is excreted in human milk. Caution is advised when administered to nursing mothers.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.

Formulations

• Oral solution
• Tablets
• Capsules

Indications

• Mitochondrial disorders
• Statin myopathy
• Congestive heart failure
• Hypertension
• Antioxidant therapy

Dosage

Children: Initially, 5 mg 1–2 times a day, adjusted according to response, with a maximum of 300 mg daily.

Adults: Initially, 5 mg 1–2 times a day, adjusted according to response, with a maximum of 200 mg daily.

Mechanism of action

Ubidecarenone functions as an essential cofactor in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, accepting electrons from complexes I and II. This activity is critical for ATP synthesis. Additionally, it acts as a mobile redox agent, shuttling electrons and protons, and exhibits antioxidant activity, safeguarding against lipid peroxidation and inhibiting LDL-cholesterol oxidation.

Pharmacodynamics

Ubidecarenone is involved in various physiological processes, including sulfide oxidation, regulation of mitochondrial permeability transition pores, and the translocation of protons and calcium ions across biological membranes. Its therapeutic benefits have been observed in conditions such as cancer, statin myopathy, congestive heart failure, and hypertension.

Pharmacokinetics

Ubidecarenone is absorbed well when taken orally and is distributed widely throughout the body's tissues, particularly in organs with high energy demands. It is metabolized primarily in the liver, and its elimination half-life varies depending on the formulation. The drug is typically taken with food to enhance absorption.

Adverse effects

• Injection-site reactions including hypertrophy
• Induration
• Skin discolouration
• Cellulitis
• Bruising tendency
• Chills
• Fever
• Nausea
• Irritability

Interactions

• May reduce insulin requirement in diabetes mellitus

Precautions

• Monitor serum parathyroid hormone and calcium concentrations
• Monitor for increased intracranial pressure
• Use with caution in hepatic impairment

Pregnancy

Manufacturer advises avoid-no information available.

Breast-feeding

Manufacturer advises avoid-no information available.

Storage

Store in a refrigerator (2–8 °C).

Formulations

• Ubidecarenone 5 mg/mL oral drops
• Ubidecarenone 30 mg chewable tablets
• Ubidecarenone 30 mg capsules
• Ubidecarenone 40 mg/1mL solution for injection vials

Mechanism of action

Levocarnitine can be synthesised within the body from the amino acids lysine or methionine. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is essential to the synthesis of carnitine. Levocarnitine is a carrier molecule in the transport of long chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane. It also exports acyl groups from subcellular organelles and from cells to urine before they accumulate to toxic concentrations. Only the L isomer of carnitine (sometimes called vitamin BT) affects lipid metabolism. Levocarnitine is handled by several proteins in different pathways including carnitine transporters, carnitine translocases, carnitine acetyltransferases and carnitine palmitoyltransferases. L-Carnitine is a peripheral antagonist of thyroid hormone action in some tissues. It inhibits thyroid hormone entry into cell nuclei. In a controlled clinical trial, L-carnitine was shown to reverse or prevent some symptoms of hyperthyroidism. ... Mortality and metabolic consequences of acute ammonium intoxication in mice are reduced by pharmacologic admin of L-carnitine. The mechanism for this effect may have 2 components. L-Carnitine admin normalizes the redox state of the brain (perhaps by incr the avail of beta-hydroxybutyrate and/or acetyl-L-carnitine to the brain), and it incr the rate of urea synth in the liver, perhaps in part by activation of the glucocorticoid receptor. At least part of the protective effect is associated with flux through the carnitine acyltransferases, as analogs of L-carnitine that are competitive inhibitors of carnitine acyltransferases enhance the toxicity of acute ammonium admin. Thus, it has been proposed that L-carnitine incr urea synth in the liver by facilitating fatty acid entry into mitochondria, leading to incr flux through the beta-oxidation pathway, an incr of intramitochondrial reducing equivalents, and enhancement of ATP production. ... Levocarnitine is necessary for normal mammalian fat utilization and energy metabolism. It facilitates entry of long-chain fatty acids into cellular mitochondria, where they are used during oxidation and energy production. It also exports acyl groups from subcellular organelles and from cells to urine before they accumulate to toxic concentrations. Carnitine's primary mechanism of action is apparently attributable to its role as a cofactor in the transformation of free long-chain fatty acids into acylcarnitines for subsequent transport into the mitochondrial matrix. Carnitine is involved in the metabolism of ketones for energy and the conversion of branched-chain amino acids - valine, leucine, and isoleucine - into energy. /Carnitine/ L-Carnitine participates in a reversible transesterification reaction, in which an acyl group is transferred from coenzyme A to the hydroxyl group of L-carnitine ... /This reaction facilitates the/ transfer of long-chain fatty acids from cytoplasm ... /and/ chain-shortened /very-long-chain/ fatty acids from peroxisomes to mitochondria /and the/ modulation of the acyl-CoA/CoA ratio in cellular compartments.

Pharmacodynamics

Levocarnitine is a carrier molecule in the transport of long chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane. It also exports acyl groups from subcellular organelles and from cells to urine before they accumulate to toxic concentrations. Lack of carnitine can lead to liver, heart, and muscle problems. Carnitine deficiency is defined biochemically as abnormally low plasma concentrations of free carnitine, less than 20 µmol/L at one week post term and may be associated with low tissue and/or urine concentrations. Further, this condition may be associated with a plasma concentration ratio of acylcarnitine/levocarnitine greater than 0.4 or abnormally elevated concentrations of acylcarnitine in the urine. Only the L isomer of carnitine (sometimes called vitamin BT) affects lipid metabolism. The "vitamin BT" form actually contains D,L-carnitine, which competitively inhibits levocarnitine and can cause deficiency. Levocarnitine can be used therapeutically to stimulate gastric and pancreatic secretions and in the treatment of hyperlipoproteinemias.

Mechanism of action

Ubidecarenone is an essential cofactor in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Its functions are the acceptance of electrons from the complex I and II and this activity is vital for the production of ATP. It acts as a mobile redox agent shuttling electrons and protons in the electron transport chain. Ubidecarenone also presents antioxidant activity in mitochondria and cellular membranes, protecting against peroxidation of lipid membranes as well as inhibiting oxidation of LDL-cholesterol.

Pharmacodynamics

Ubidecarenon has roles in many prysiological process including sulfide oxidation, regulation of mitochondrial permeability transition pore and translocation of protons and calcium ions accross biological membranes. Studies have shown its benefitial effect in treating cancer, statin myopathy, congestive heart failure and hypertension.