Coenzyme Q10

What is coenzyme Q10 and how does it work (mechanism of action)?

• Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10 is naturally produced in the body and is present in the heart, kidney, pancreas, and liver.
• It is a fat soluble antioxidant and an important chemical used in oxidative respiration for the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain both of which are critical for the generation of energy that is used by all cells in the body.
• Coenzyme Q10 levels decrease with age and may be low in people with heart diseases, Parkinson's, disease, cancers, muscular dystrophies, and diabetes.

  What are the uses for coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone, ubidecarenone)-oral?

• Coenzyme Q10 may be effective for treating coenzyme Q10 deficiency.
• It is possibly effective for improving vision in people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD); improving heart function in people with congestive heart failure; improving symptoms of diabetic neuropathy; improving immune function in people with HIV; reducing blood pressure; reducing the frequency of migraine attacks; and improving physical performance in people with muscular dystrophy.
• Coenzyme Q10 produced in the laboratory is a component of many herbal products and has many uses.

  What are the side effects of coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone, ubidecarenone)-oral?

  The common side effects of coenzyme Q10 are:
  
• Stomach upset
• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Increased levels of liver enzymes in the blood
• Nausea

Other side effects of coenzyme Q10 include:

• Allergies
• Low blood pressure

  What is the dosage for coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone, ubidecarenone)-oral?

• Doses vary depending on the use. The typical dose for treating coenzyme Q10 deficiency is 150 mg daily.
• High blood pressure is treated with 120 to 200 mg daily in two divided doses.
• The dose for preventing migraine headaches is 100 mg three times daily.
• Doses of 300 to 2400 mg per day have been used for treating Parkinson's disease.

  Which drugs or supplements interact with coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone, ubidecarenone)-oral?

  Taking coenzyme Q10 with medications, herbs, or supplements that reduce blood pressure may cause too much reduction in blood pressure.
  Coenzyme Q10 may help blood to clot. Therefore, it may reduce the blood thinning effect of warfarin (Coumadin).

  Is coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone, ubidecarenone)-oral safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

  Coenzyme Q10 has been used safely by pregnant women starting at 20 weeks gestation until term.
  It is not known if coenzyme Q10 is excreted in breast milk.
  

  What preparations of coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone, ubidecarenone)-oral are available?

  Soft Gel Tablets: 100 and 300 mg; Capsule: 30, 50, 200, and 400 mg; Gummies: 100 mg
  

Suggested Dosing

50-200 mg PO daily
CHF: 100 mg/day div BID-TID PO
Myocardial preservation for heart surgery: 200 mg/day PO

Suggested Uses

Angina, chronic fatigue syndrome, CHF, diabetes mellitus, doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (prevention), HIV/AIDS immunostimulant, hypertension, mitochondrial cytopathies, muscular dystrophies, myopathy (statin-induced)
Efficacy may be effective in CHF, MI, mitochondrial encephalomyopathies
Reduces BP; more studies need before recommendation in hypertension
Inconclusive for stable angina, cardiomyopathy, periodontal disease.

Interaction

atorvastatinatorvastatin decreases levels of coenzyme q10 by unspecified interaction mechanism.

Adverse Effects

Frequency Not Defined

Diarrhea
Appetite decreased
Elevated LFTs
Gastric distress
Nausea

Warnings

Cautions

Biliary obstruction, concurrent antihypertensives, concurrent cancer chemotherapy, concurrent radiation therapy, hepatic insufficiency, hypertension

 

Pharmacology

Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A

Mechanism of Action

Ubiquinone: involved in electron transport chain
Ubiquinol: antioxidant, membrane stabilizer