Effect | None |
Values | Moderate or severe headache days per four weeks, mean (SD). Baseline: 4.2 (2.0) Placebo: 3.1 (2.0) Carnitine: 3.0 (1.8). Headache days per four weeks, mean (SD). Baseline: 6.5 (2.8) Placebo: 5.2 (3.3) Carnitine: 5.1 (2.8) |
Trial Design | Randomized trial |
Trial Length | 1-6 months |
Number of Subjects | 72 |
Sex | Both Genders |
Age Range | 18-29, 30-44, 45-64 |
In a 12-week randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 72 participants with frequent migraines took placebo or 1.5 g of acetyl-l-carnitine during the first week and 3 g for the rest of the 12 weeks before crossing over.
The primary outcome was days with moderate or severe headaches, and there wasn't a statistically significant difference between treatments for any headache-related measure. The placebo group saw significantly less depression, though the participants weren't particularly depressed.
There wasn't a notable difference in adverse events.