II. Background

  1. Fat-soluble, Vitamin-like quinone
  2. Endogenous compound used in Energy Metabolism within mitochondria
  3. Highest concentrations in heart, brain, liver, Kidney
  4. Activity
    1. Central to electron transfer in ATP production
    2. Antioxidant scavenger against free radicals
    3. Decreases Calcium overload
    4. Protective against ischemia in CHF

III. Medications

  1. Ubiquinone
  2. Ubiquinol

IV. Indications: Neurologic

V. Indications: Cardiovascular (50-200 mg/day)

  1. Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) - unclear benefit
  2. Hypertension - insufficient evidence
  3. Coronary Artery Disease - experimental
  4. Statin-Induced Myopathy
    1. Conflicting evidence for benefit

VI. Indications: Miscellaneous

  1. Diabetes Mellitus (100-200 mg/day) - unclear benefit
  2. Symptomatic deficiency (rare)
    1. Effective
  3. MItochondrial Myopathy (rare, genetic or acquired)
    1. Effective

VII. Adverse effects

  1. Gastrointestinal upset (e.g. Diarrhea)
    1. Divide twice daily for doses >100 mg/day to reduce adverse effects
  2. Potential risk of Hypoglycemia, Hypotension

VIII. Safety

  1. Unknown safety in pregnancy
  2. Unknown safety in Lactation

IX. Drug Interactions

  1. Warfarin
    1. Coenzyme Q10 is structurally similar to Vitamin K
    2. Coenzyme Q10 may have procoagulant effects (reducing Warfarin efficacy)

X. References

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