L-Carnitine and Reduced Erythropoietin Resistance Index

Doses used in studies

mg/kg/dialysis session: 10–20 (median 15, IQR 10–20) — 1 study

Time to effect

Median: 3 months · IQR 3 months–3 months · Range 3 months–3 months — Reported in 1 of 1 study

1 of 1 paper

Effectiveness of L-Carnitine for the Treatment of Erythropoietin-Resistant Renal Anemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial.

2026-05
RCT
Journal of renal nutrition : the official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation 36(3)
- Stephanie E Reuter
- Alison L Steiber
- Randall J Faull
- Allan M Evans

PubMed: 41644022
DOI: 10.1053/j.jrn.2026.01.008

1 Insight on

Reduced Erythropoietin Resistance Index

High evidence
Clinical

L-carnitine supplementation was associated with a 25% reduction in ERI, significantly greater than that seen in placebo-treated patients (3% reduction). This was supported by a 42% reduction after 6 months of treatment in the validation dataset. Overall, 88% of L-carnitine-treated patients had a clinically significant improvement in ERI, compared to 0% of placebo-treated patients.

Effect: Beneficial
Effect size: Large
Significant: Yes
Dose: 10-20 mg/kg/dialysis session