Can I take Carnitine with Vitamin C?

Understanding the interactions, benefits, and safety of combining these two powerful supplements.

Carnitine
+
Vitamin C

Short answer

We found no documented interaction between Carnitine and Vitamin C in the sources below. That isn't proof the combination is right for you: check each one's cautions, and ask your pharmacist if you take medication.

Carnitine

What it is: A nutrient the body makes and gets from meat; it helps turn food into energy.

What the research says: Healthy people make all they need. Results for dementia and other conditions are mixed.

Cautions

  • 3 g a day or more can cause nausea, cramps, diarrhea and a fishy body odor.
  • High amounts may cause muscle weakness in kidney disease and raise seizure risk in people with seizure disorders.

Medicines to check

  • Some anti-seizure medicines (phenobarbital, valproic acid) and long-term use of some antibiotics can lower carnitine levels

In Holitro: Carnitine (500 mg per capsule)

Source: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Carnitine: Fact Sheet for Consumers (updated May 2023)

Vitamin C

What it is: An antioxidant vitamin the body needs to make collagen, absorb iron from plant foods and support the immune system.

What the research says: Vitamin C is essential; supplements make sure you get enough if your diet falls short.

Cautions

  • Adults shouldn't exceed 2,000 mg a day; too much can cause diarrhea, nausea and cramps.
  • People with hemochromatosis should avoid high doses.

Medicines to check

  • Chemotherapy and radiation: check with your care team first
  • In one study, antioxidants including vitamin C reduced the benefit of a statin plus niacin

In Holitro: Vitamin C (1000 mg per capsule)

Source: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin C: Fact Sheet for Consumers (updated March 2021)

Check with your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you take medication.

Check your stack — free

Educational information only, not medical advice. This reflects general ingredient overlap, not a personalized safety review. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining supplements, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or nursing, or manage a health condition. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

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