The effects of concurrent Coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine supplementation in migraine prophylaxis: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial

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The effects of concurrent Coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine supplementation in migraine prophylaxis: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial

Hajihashemi et al., 2019 | Cephalalgia | Rct

Citation

Hajihashemi Parisa, Askari Gholamreza, ... Nourian Mojgan. The effects of concurrent Coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine supplementation in migraine prophylaxis: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Cephalalgia. 2019-Apr;39(5):648-654. doi:10.1177/0333102418821661

Abstract

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to determine the effects of combined supplementation of Coenzyme Q10 with L-carnitine on mitochondrial metabolic disorders marker and migraine symptoms among migraine patients. METHODS: A total of 56 men and women, between 20-40 years of age with migraine headache, participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 30 mg/day Coenzyme Q10 and 500 mg/day L-carnitine at the same time and/or placebo tablets for 8 weeks. The measurements were completed at the beginning and end of the study. The primary outcome was severity of headache attacks. The secondary outcomes included duration, frequency of headache attacks, the headache diary results (HDR), and serum levels of lactate. RESULTS: A significant reduction was obtained in serum levels of lactate (-2.28 mg/dl, 95% CI: -3.65, -0.90; p = 0.002), severity (-3.03, 95% CI: -3.65, -2.40; p ≤ 0.001), duration (-7.67, 95% CI: -11.47, -3.90; p ≤ 0.001), frequency (-5.42, 95% CI: -7.31, -3.53; p ≤ 0.001) and HDR (-103.03, 95% CI: -145.76, -60.29; p ≤ 0.001) after 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: This double-blind parallel study provides evidences supporting the beneficial effects of Coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine supplements on serum levels of lactate and migraine symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20121216011763N21.

Key Findings

A significant reduction was obtained in serum levels of lactate (-2.28 mg/dl, 95% CI: -3.65, -0.90; p = 0.002), severity (-3.03, 95% CI: -3.65, -2.40; p ≤ 0.001), duration (-7.67, 95% CI: -11.47, -3.90; p ≤ 0.001), frequency (-5.42, 95% CI: -7.31, -3.53; p ≤ 0.001) and HDR (-103.03, 95% CI: -145.76, -60.29; p ≤ 0.001) after 8 weeks.

Outcomes Measured

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Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range 20-40 years
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Carnitine
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lactic Acid
  • Male
  • Migraine Disorders
  • Ubiquinone
  • Young Adult

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Vertical: coq10-migraine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09