Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), Oral

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KEY POINTS

• This remedy has been used to treat several conditions. Studies in humans or animals have not proved that this remedy is safe or effective for all uses. Before using this remedy for a serious condition, you should talk with your healthcare provider.
• The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines. Natural remedies are not always safe.
• This remedy may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• This remedy affects your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take. Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: nutritional supplement

Generic and brand names: ubiquinone, oral; ubidecarenone, oral; ubiquinol, oral; Coenzyme Q10; CoQ10 (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)

What is this supplement used for?

This vitaminlike substance helps cells convert nutrients to energy. Ubiquinone is made by the body and is present in many common foods.

Studies in humans or animals have not proved that this remedy is safe or effective for all uses. This remedy is helpful to treat heart failure and high blood pressure.

This supplement has been used to treat:

• Age-related macular degeneration
• Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
• Gum disease
• Heart failure
• Migraine headaches
• Parkinson’s disease

This remedy does not appear to help treat or prevent diabetes, hepatitis C, or Huntington’s disease.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for nutritional supplements. The FDA does not inspect or regulate supplements the way they do prescription medicines. Before using this supplement for a serious condition, you should talk with your healthcare provider.

How do I take it?

This medicine comes in various forms, including chewable wafers, capsules, and tablets. You can buy these products without a prescription. Take this medicine exactly as directed. If your healthcare provider has not given you specific instructions, follow the directions that come with the medicine package. Do not take more or take it longer than directed. Chew the wafers thoroughly, and then drink a glass of water. Swallow the tablets or capsules whole with water.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may have different strengths and effects. They may be contaminated.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Other: Nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dizziness, rash.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril, lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace)
• Alpha blockers such as doxazosin (Cardura) and prazosin (Minipress)
• Beta blockers such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), pindolol, and sotalol (Betapace, Sorine)
• Cancer medicines such as dasatinib (Sprycel), doxorubicin (Doxil), enzalutamide (Xtandi), everolimus (Afinitor, Zortress), imatinib (Gleevec), paclitaxel (Abraxane, Taxol), tamoxifen, vinblastine, and vincristine (Marqibo)
• Natural remedies such as cat’s claw, fish oil, and stinging nettle
• Propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, InnoPran)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.