An Evaluation of the Effects of Oral Carnitine in Decreasing Complications of Chronic Hemodialysis at Fatemieh Hospital in Semnan

Chronic dialysis is an expensive procedure for patients and health care centers. If we can decrease the complications during dialysis as much as possible, so could we decrease expenses resulted from repeated dialysis. L-carnitine is a necessary agent for natural function of myocardium and skeletal muscles; therefore, it may decrease different complications during dialysis. This study was performed to assess of carnitine role in this respect. The patients who referred to dialysis ward of Fatemieh hospital from Jul. 2005 to Feb. 2006 were enrolled in a double blind cross-over clinical trial. All the patients were divided into two groups. The control group received placebo and the trial group received L-carnitine (500mg/d) during dialysis. The occurrence of complications resulting from dialysis in any session (including decreasing of blood pressure, cramp and vomiting) after the use of placebo and/or L-carnitine was assessed and compared in both groups. Out of 33 patients who participated in the study, 26 continued to the end of the study period. Occurrence of different complications during the use of placebo and/or L-carnitine did not have any significant differences. It seemed that L-carnitine (500mg/d) does not have any obvious effects on dialysis patients and results in unnecessary expenses for patients, so it is not recommended.