OtherMetabolic cofactorCarnitine derivativePeripheral-vascular supplement

Propionyl-L-Carnitine (PLC)

Also known as PLC · Propionylcarnitine

Written by enwyReviewed 5 Aug 20262 sources0 comments

A propionyl ester of carnitine with particular affinity for cardiac and skeletal muscle, studied mainly for peripheral arterial disease (intermittent claudication) and cardiac ischaemia. It supports fatty-acid metabolism and anaplerosis and can improve pain-free walking distance in claudication.

01 Overview

Propionyl-L-carnitine (PLC) supplies both a carnitine moiety and a propionyl group that is converted to succinyl-CoA, replenishing (anaplerosis) the citric-acid cycle in energy-starved tissue. It is preferentially taken up by cardiac and skeletal muscle, giving it a more cardiovascular-focused profile than plain L-carnitine.

The main clinical evidence is in peripheral arterial disease with intermittent claudication, where trials show modest improvements in maximal and pain-free walking distance. It has also been studied in heart failure and ischaemia. As an ester of carnitine it shares the general safety profile of the carnitine family.

02 Mechanism

Delivers carnitine for fatty-acid oxidation plus a propionyl group converted to succinyl-CoA, providing anaplerotic support to the citric-acid cycle in ischaemic muscle; preferentially taken up by cardiac and skeletal muscle.

03 Dosing

Tier	Dose	Route	Notes
Claudication	1000–2000 mg/day	Oral	Doses used in peripheral arterial disease trials, often 1 g twice daily.

04 Effects

Effect	Magnitude	Evidence
Improved claudication walking distanceIncreases maximal and pain-free walking distance in peripheral arterial disease.	modest	Clinical
Anaplerotic support in ischaemiaReplenishes citric-acid-cycle intermediates in energy-compromised muscle.		Preclinical

05 Side effects

Effect	Severity	Frequency	Evidence	Countermeasures
Gastrointestinal upsetNausea and dyspepsia at higher doses.	Mild	Common	Clinical
Fishy odour / raised TMAOShares the carnitine-family potential for trimethylamine odour and raised TMAO.	Mild	Dose-related	Observational

06 Legal status

Prescription medicine

Marketed as a medicine for vascular disease in some European markets. · as of Jan 2026

United States

Dietary supplement

Sold as a supplement. · as of Jan 2026

07 References

Propionyl-L-carnitine in intermittent claudication: a randomised trialJournal of the American College of Cardiology, 1999

L-propionylcarnitine and peripheral arterial disease: systematic reviewVascular Medicine

08 Discussion0 comments

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This page is reference information, not medical advice. Doses and protocols are documented as they appear in the clinical literature and in practice — describing them is not a recommendation to use them. Countermeasures listed here are not a substitute for a physician. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and changes.