Lab arithmeticL-carnitineFDA-approved
L-carnitine 200 mg: dosing evidence and reconstitution math
A 200 mg vial of L-carnitine mixed with 2 mL of diluent is 100 mg/mL, so 10 units on a U-100 syringe (0.1 mL) contain 10 mg.
Is there an established dose?
Doses of the FDA-approved product (LEVOCARNITINE) are set by its FDA label, linked below; research-grade vials are not that product.
- LEVOCARNITINE on Drugs@FDA (DEVA HOLDING AS)
- L-carnitine profile: FDA status, research volume and registered trials.
200 mg vial concentration table
Concentration = vial content ÷ diluent volume. A U-100 insulin syringe holds 1 mL in 100 units, so 1 unit = 0.01 mL.
| Diluent | Concentration | Per 10 units (0.1 mL) | Per 1 unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mL | 100 mg/mL | 10 mg | 1 mg |
| 5 mL | 40 mg/mL | 4 mg | 400 mcg |
| 10 mL | 20 mg/mL | 2 mg | 200 mcg |
| 20 mL | 10 mg/mL | 1 mg | 100 mcg |
Arithmetic only; it assumes the vial contains exactly what the label states. Independent tests often find vials under- or over-filled, which is why a lot's certificate of analysis matters.
Syringe units for a given amount
Units on a U-100 syringe needed to draw each amount from this 200 mg vial, by diluent volume. The amounts are fractions of the vial (1/50, 1/20, 1/10, 1/5), not dose suggestions.
| Amount | 1 mL diluent | 2 mL diluent | 3 mL diluent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 mg | 2 units | 4 units | 6 units |
| 10 mg | 5 units | 10 units | 15 units |
| 20 mg | 10 units | 20 units | 30 units |
| 40 mg | 20 units | 40 units | 60 units |
Units = amount ÷ concentration × 100. Draws above 100 units exceed a 1 mL syringe.
What the research covers
A PubMed search for "levocarnitine"[tiab] returned 300 records (131 from the last five years), 36 indexed as clinical trials when checked on October 2026.
- Levocarnitine.
- Primary Carnitine Deficiency.
- Levocarnitine for valproic-acid-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy.
- Very-Late Onset Multiple Acyl-Coenzyme A Dehydrogenase Deficiency Associated With Sertraline Use: A Case Report.
- Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency.
ClinicalTrials.gov lists 313 registered studies (search), including:
- Evaluation of the Impact of L- Carnitine in Intradialytic Hypotension in Pediatric Patients on Regular Hemodialysis
- Levocarnitine in Treating Patients With Vismodegib-Associated Muscle Spasms
- Adding Antioxidants Into Human Sequential Culture Media System
- Effects of L-Carnitine in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients With CHCHD10 Mutations
Where research vials are listed
12 suppliers in our directory list L-carnitine (A–Z): Atomik Labz, Dynamic Peptide, Evolve BioPep, Ion Peptide, Modern Aminos, OmegAmino, Peptide Crafters, Plum Labs Research, and 4 more. A listing is not a quality endorsement; ask for a lot-specific certificate of analysis.
Storage & handling
Follow the storage statement on the product sheet or certificate of analysis. Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptides are generally kept cold, dry and away from light; once reconstituted, stability is shorter and depends on the compound and diluent. Bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative; sterile water does not.
Frequently asked questions
How much bacteriostatic water for a 200 mg L-carnitine vial?
The diluent volume only sets the concentration: 1 mL gives 200 mg/mL, 2 mL gives 100 mg/mL and 3 mL gives 66.7 mg/mL. Smaller volumes are more concentrated, so each syringe unit holds more.
How much L-carnitine is in 10 units?
At 2 mL of diluent, 10 units (0.1 mL) of a 200 mg vial contain 10 mg; at 1 mL they contain 20 mg.
What is the dose of L-carnitine?
Doses of the FDA-approved product (LEVOCARNITINE) are set by its FDA label, linked below; research-grade vials are not that product.
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