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Carnitine Side Effects: Stomach, Odor and Cautions
Carnitine side effects at about 3 g a day include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and a fishy body odor. It can also cause seizures in people with seizure disorders. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take seizure medicine. The MemoPryl images print no warnings.
By the MemoPryl label deskUpdated · 4 min read
What are the side effects of carnitine?
Mostly stomach trouble and body odor. NIH says about 3 g a day of carnitine supplements can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and a fishy body odor (NIH ODS, Carnitine).
Those amounts are higher than many people take, but the amount in a MemoPryl capsule is not printed, so we cannot say where it falls.
| Issue | What NIH says |
|---|---|
| About 3 g a day | Nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, fishy odor |
| Seizure disorder | Can cause seizures |
| Some seizure medicines | Lower blood carnitine |
Is carnitine safe for people with seizures?
Ask a doctor first. The NIH fact sheet says carnitine can cause seizures in people with seizure disorders (NIH ODS, Carnitine).
It also says valproic acid, phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine reduce blood carnitine levels (NIH ODS, Carnitine). That is an interaction in the other direction: the medicine affects carnitine, not the reverse.
Keep taking prescribed seizure medicine exactly as directed. Never adjust it because of a supplement.
This is true for any supplement, and doubly so for seizure medicine.
Who should ask a doctor before taking carnitine?
Anyone with a seizure disorder, anyone on a prescription, and anyone pregnant, nursing or under 18.
MemoPryl is sold only to adults aged 18 and over. Run the quick check below, then show the bottle to a pharmacist.
MemoPryl: capsules in 2, 3 or 6 bottlesRead the bottle · check medicines first · 60-day window (confirm)
See packsDoes MemoPryl list carnitine side effects?
Not on any image we have. No warnings, directions or Supplement Facts panel are printed.
N-acetyl L-carnitine HCl is named on a sibling pack, not confirmed for your bottle. Read the warnings on the bottle you receive. If you have a bad reaction, stop and seek medical advice, then report it through FDA's portal (FDA, Report a Supplement Problem). See the MemoPryl side effects page.
Thinking about MemoPryl?Check your medicines with a pharmacist first. The checkout confirms prices and the 60-day window.
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FAQ01
Questions people ask about MemoPryl
Why does carnitine cause a fishy smell?
NIH lists a fishy body odor among the effects at about 3 g a day. If it bothers you, tell your pharmacist and ask whether the amount you take is the one on the bottle.
Can carnitine upset your stomach?
Yes. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea are listed for carnitine supplements at about 3 g a day. Tell your pharmacist if stomach trouble starts after a new capsule.
Do seizure medicines affect carnitine levels?
Yes. NIH says valproic acid, phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine reduce blood carnitine. Do not change seizure medicine yourself; ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Who wrote this02
Written and reviewed by
Each page draws on the bottle images, the seller's product notes and linked NIH, FDA, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . See our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by MemoPryl USA retail, not by the manufacturer or the distributor of the bottle. We are paid a commission when you buy through our order links.
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