Coenzyme Q10

Mitoquinon, ubidecarenone, ubiquinone

Coenzyme Q10 (CO Q10) is a lipid soluble benzoquinone that's structurally related to vitamin K. It's found in every cell in the body, and acts as a free radical scavenger and membrane stabilizer. It's also an important cofactor in electron transport in the mitochondria. CO Q10 is available as capsules, softgels, and tablets, in products such as Maxi Cardio Co Q10, Maxi-Sorb Co Q10, Mega Co Q10, and My Fav Coenzyme Q10.

Reported Uses

Coenzyme Q10 is used to treat ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and heart failure. It's also used in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), muscular dystrophy, and chronic fatigue syndrome. CO Q10 is used to protect against doxorubicin cardiotoxicity and to protect the myocardium during invasive cardiac surgery. It may also stimulate the production of blood cells. Low levels of CO Q10 have been found in patients with breast cancer, periodontal diseases, diabetes, and heart disease.

Administration

Oral use: 30 to 300 mg daily; dosages above 100 mg in divided doses, two to three times a day.

Hazards

Adverse effects associated with the use of CO Q10, though rare, include epigastric discomfort, loss of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea. Beta blockers may inhibit CO Q10 dependent enzymes. Hydroxy methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA)

reductase inhibitors and gemfibrozil may decrease levels of CO Q10. CO Q10 may decrease insulin requirements in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. International Normalized Ratio may decrease when warfarin is used in conjunction with CO Q10. Oral hypoglycemics decrease CO Q10 levels, whereas food maximizes its absorption.

Those with a hypersensitivity to CO Q10, pregnant patients, and breast-feeding patients should avoid use.

Clinical considerations

• Monitor vital signs and electrocardiogram results, as needed.
• Warn patient not to treat signs and symptoms of heart failure-such as increasing shortness of breath, edema, or chest pain-with C QIO before seeking appropriate medical evaluation because doing so may delay diagnosis of a potentially serious medical condition.

Safety Risk Advise patient with heart failure that CO Q10 shouldn't replace conventional drug therapy. Encourage him to discuss use of CO Q10 with his health care provider so treatment may be properly monitored.

• If patient is pregnant or breast-feeding, advise her not to use CO Q10.
• If patient is diabetic, alert him to the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and instruct him to monitor his blood glucose level.
• Instruct patient to inform his health care provider if he's taking a cholesterol lowering or heart drug, an anticoagulant, or insulin.
• Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he's taking when obtaining a new prescription.
• Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summarary

patients with heart failure have significantly lower levels of CO Q10 in heart muscle cells than healthy people. This fact alone doesn't prove that CO Q10 supplements will help treat heart failure; however, it has promted medical researches to try using CO Q10 as a treatment for heart failure. Several doubleblind studies have found that CO Q10 supplements, when taken along with conventional medication, can markedly improve symptoms and objective measurements of heart function.