L-Carnitine
FDA APPROVED
Metabolic
L-Carnitine
Performance
0
Amino acids
Molecular weight
Peptide
Type
L-Carnitine (levocarnitine) is an amino acid derivative and small molecule — not a true peptide — synthesized endogenously in the liver and kidneys from lysine and methionine. It is essential for shuttling long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane for beta-oxidation and ATP production via carnitine palmitoyltransferase I and II. FDA-approved as Carnitor for primary and secondary carnitine deficiency, it is widely used clinically and as a supplement for metabolic health, cardiovascular support, male fertility, and athletic performance.
Top researched benefits
Overview of L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine forms acylcarnitine esters with long-chain fatty acids via carnitine palmitoyltransferase I and II, enabling their transport across the impermeable inner mitochondrial membrane for beta-oxidation. It also buffers excess acetyl-CoA by forming acetylcarnitine, preserving free CoA availability and maintaining mitochondrial metabolic flexibility.
metabolic
- Primary function transporting fatty acids into mitochondria for beta-oxidation.
- Supports ATP generation from fat metabolism, particularly during exercise.
- May enhance fat utilization when combined with exercise and caloric deficit.
performance
- May reduce muscle damage markers and improve recovery post-exercise.
- Enhances fat utilization during prolonged exercise, potentially sparing glycogen.
clinical uses
- FDA-approved treatment for primary and secondary carnitine deficiency.
- Used in patients on hemodialysis who develop carnitine depletion.
Typical Dose
1000–2000 mg per dose (free base / levocarnitine form, MW 161.20 Da; injectable formulations use the HCl salt at MW 197.66 Da); terminal elimination half-life ~17 hours
Frequency
once to twice daily
Cycle Duration
ongoing or cycled 8 weeks on, 4 weeks off
Storage
Oral/powder forms: store at room temperature (15–30°C), protected from moisture and light. Injectable solutions (typically the HCl salt form): store at 2–8°C; use reconstituted vials within 2–4 weeks. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
No visual available
Due to this peptide having no amino acids, there is no molecular chain to display.
Chemical Makeup
Key benefits
Facilitates long-chain fatty acid transport into mitochondria, directly enhancing fat oxidation and ATP production during sustained exercise
Reduces all-cause mortality and ventricular arrhythmias following acute myocardial infarction by preserving myocardial carnitine pools
Improves insulin sensitivity and reduces fasting blood glucose and HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes at doses of 1–4 g/day
Significantly improves sperm motility and morphology in men with idiopathic infertility, supported by multiple published meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials
Community interest
This peptide is still gaining traction in the community.
Mitochondrial Fatty Acid Transporter | Metabolic & Cardiovascular Support
This overview is informational and based on aggregated descriptions from studies and user reports.
Was it helpful?YesNoL-Carnitine Molecular Information
View the scientifc details of L-Carnitine.
Molecular Weight
161.2DaChain Length
0Amino AcidsType
PeptideL-Carnitine Protocols
Subcutaneous or intramuscular injection of L-Carnitine achieves higher bioavailability (near 100%) compared to oral supplementation, making it the preferred route for fat loss, athletic performance, and clinical carnitine deficiency. Injections are best administered 30 minutes before cardio, with sites rotated among the abdomen, thigh, and upper arm.
| Goal | Dosage | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fat loss / body composition | 500 | 3 week range | SubQ or IM |
| Athletic performance and endurance | 1000 | 3 week range | SubQ or IM |
| Hemodialysis-associated carnitine deficiency | 20 | 3 week range | IV (post-dialysis, mg/kg) |
| Primary carnitine deficiency (clinical) | 50 | 1 day range | IV slow bolus or infusion (mg/kg) |
| Male fertility support | 1000 | 3 week range | SubQ or IM |
Reconstitution Instructions
Materials needed:
Steps to reconstitute
- If using a lyophilized powder vial, draw 1–2 mL of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe
- Insert the needle into the rubber stopper of the L-Carnitine vial at a slight angle and inject the BAC water slowly down the inside wall of the vial — do not squirt directly onto the powder
- Gently swirl or roll the vial between your palms until the powder is fully dissolved — do not shake vigorously
- Visually inspect the solution — it should be clear and colorless; discard if cloudy or particulate matter is present
- Label the vial with the reconstitution date and store at 2–8°C (refrigerated), protected from light; use within 2–4 weeks
- For pre-mixed liquid solutions (e.g. 500 mg/mL), draw the calculated dose volume directly into an insulin syringe
- Select an injection site — abdomen, outer thigh, or upper arm deltoid — and clean with an alcohol swab; allow to air dry
- For SubQ: pinch a fold of skin and insert the needle at a 45-degree angle; for IM: insert at 90 degrees into the muscle belly
- Inject the solution slowly and steadily, then withdraw the needle and apply gentle pressure with a sterile gauze pad
- Rotate injection sites with each administration to prevent tissue irritation or lipohypertrophy
L-Carnitine Cycle
The L-Carnitine Cycle section explains how long a typical cycle lasts and what to expect during each phase. Over time, your body can become less responsive with continuous use.
Taking breaks between cycles may help maintain effectiveness and support better overall results.
- Week 0-0
- Injectable form provides rapid absorption within 30-60 minutes
- Week 1-2
- Potential improvements in energy and exercise capacity
- Week 4-8
- Cumulative benefits on fat metabolism and recovery
- Week 8-16
- Full metabolic optimization when combined with exercise
Dosing tools
L-Carnitine Peptide Dosage Calculator
Calculate peptide doses with our visual syringe guide.
mg
Enter the total amount of peptide in the vial in milligrams (as stated on the label).
The dose you want to inject per administration, in mcg or mg.
1,000 mcg = 1 mg
1 mL
2 mL
3 mL
5 mL
Custom
Volume of bacteriostatic water you add to reconstitute the powder. Use BAC water for preservation.
Injection Results
Based on your vial and dilution inputs.
L-Carnitine
SINGLE COMPOUNDVolume per injection
0.05
mL
Concentration
10.00
mg/mL
Doses per vial
20
doses
Total injections per vial
20 injections
How it works
Based on a 10 mg L-Carnitine vial diluted with 1 mL of bacteriostatic water, each 500 mcg injection equals 0.05 mL.
1mL / 100 units
5 units
0.050 mL
Reference Guide
Dosing Cycle
- Peptide
- L-Carnitine
- Dosing
- 1000–2000 mg per dose (free base / levocarnitine form, MW 161.20 Da; injectable formulations use the HCl salt at MW 197.66 Da); terminal elimination half-life ~17 hours
- Dosing Frequency
- once to twice daily
- Cycle Duration
- ongoing or cycled 8 weeks on, 4 weeks off
- Storage
- Oral/powder forms: store at room temperature (15–30°C), protected from moisture and light. Injectable solutions (typically the HCl salt form): store at 2–8°C; use reconstituted vials within 2–4 weeks. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Note: Triple agonist; microdose for fewer side effects
Reconstitution Tips
- Use bacteriostatic water (BAC) — contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol for preservation
- Inject water slowly — aim down the vial wall, not directly onto powder
- Never shake — gently swirl or roll the vial until dissolved
- Store properly — refrigerate at 2-8°C after reconstitution
- Use within 28 days — most reconstituted peptides remain stable for about 4 weeks
- Keep sterile — always clean vial tops with alcohol before drawing
Side effects
Contraindications
Seizure disorders (may lower seizure threshold)
Hypothyroidism (may affect thyroid function)
Allergy to carnitine products
Stop signs
Allergic reactions (rare)
Severe gastrointestinal distress
Unusual muscle weakness
Bad signs
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Frequently asked questions
What is a peptide dosage calculator?
A peptide dosage calculator is a free tool that converts your vial size, bacteriostatic water volume, and target dose into an exact syringe draw volume. Instead of doing the reconstitution math by hand, you enter three inputs and instantly get the concentration of your solution and how many milliliters or syringeunits to draw. This calculator works for single peptide compounds and multi-peptide blends.
How do I calculate peptide dosage from a vial?
To calculate your peptide dose, divide the total peptide content of your vial in micrograms by the volume of bacteriostatic water you added in milliliters. This gives you your solution concentration in mcg/mL. Then divide your target dose by that concentration to get your draw volume. For example, a 5mg (5,000 mcg) vial reconstituted with 2mL of BAC water gives a concentration of 2,500 mcg/mL. A 250 mcg dose would require drawing 0.1mL. This calculator automates all of those steps instantly.
How much Bacteriostatic water should I add to a peptide vial?
Most people add 2mL to 3mL of bacteriostatic water per vial, but the right amount depends on the dose you want to draw and the syringe size you are using. Adding 1mL to a 5mg vial gives you a concentration of 5,000 mcg/mL, making each dose very small in volume. Adding 2mL gives you 2,500 mcg/mL, which is easier to measure on a standard insulin syringe. A general guideline is to choose a volume that puts your typical dose somewhere between 10 and 30 units on a U-100 syringe. Use the calculator above to test different water volumes and find what works for your dose.
How are peptides different from proteins?
Both are made of amino acids, but peptides are much smaller than proteins. Because of their tiny size, peptides can act like tiny messengers in the body, sending specific signals to your cells to tell them exactly what to do.
L-CarnitineResearch References
L-Carnitine is a fda approved compound
L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine is a fda approved compound
L-Carnitine Supplementation and Exercise
Meta-analysis showing modest benefits of L-carnitine on exercise performance and recovery markers.
2018
Carnitine Metabolism and Function
Comprehensive review of carnitine's role in fatty acid transport and energy metabolism.
2012
Calculate peptide dosages
Learning how to calculate a peptide dose? Use our beginner-friendly peptide dosage, blend, and accumulation calculators. Enter vial size, reconstitution volume, and target dose to get exact draw volumes instantly. No guesswork, just clear guidance that helps prevent common mistakes.
