Acetyl-L-carnitine shows benefit in treating MS-related fatigue

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Acetyl-L-carnitine shows benefit in treating

MS-related fatigue

 

It now appears that acetyl L-carnitine, a unique form

of the amino acid L-carnitine, may steal some of the

thunder from amantadine, a drug that is often

prescribed for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients who

are suffering from MS-related fatigue.

 

Researchers in the Department of Neurological

Sciences, University of Rome, Italy wanted to study

the effects of acetyl L-carnitine (ALCAR) on patients

with MS-related fatigue because “treatment with ALCAR

has been shown to improve fatigue in patients with

chronic fatigue syndrome, but there have been no

trials on the effect of ALCAR for treating fatigue in

Multiple Sclerosis.”

 

Scientists decided to run a randomized, double-blind,

cross-over study to compare the efficacy of ALCAR with

that of amantadine. Thirty-six patients with

MS-related fatigue were treated for three months with

either amantadine (100 mg twice daily) or ALCAR (one

gram twice daily). After a three-month washout period,

patients crossed over to the alternative treatment for

three months. Six patients withdrew from the study

because of adverse reactions (five on amantadine and

one on ALCAR).

 

Statistical analysis showed significant effects of

ALCAR in treating fatigue compared with amantadine

when measured against the Fatigue Severity Scale,

leading researchers to conclude, “ALCAR is better

tolerated and more effective than amantadine for the

treatment of MS-related fatigue.”

 

Journal of Neurological Science 218(1-2):103-108, 2004