Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), Oral yoo-bik-WA-nohn

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: nutritional supplement

Generic and brand names: ubiquinone, oral; ubidecarenone, oral; Coenzyme Q10; CoQ10 (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)

What is this medicine used for?

This vitaminlike substance helps cells convert nutrients to energy. Ubiquinone is made by the body and is present in many common foods.

This supplement has been used to treat several conditions. Studies in humans or animals have not proved that this remedy is safe or effective for all uses. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for nutritional supplements. The FDA does not inspect or regulate supplements the way they do prescription medicines. Before using this supplement for a serious condition, you should talk with your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder
• diabetes

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

How do I take it?

This medicine comes in various forms, including chewable wafers, capsules, and tablets. You can buy these products without a prescription. Take this medicine exactly as directed. If your healthcare provider has not given you specific instructions, follow the directions that come with the medicine package. Do not take more or take it longer than directed. Chew the wafers thoroughly, and then drink a glass of water. Swallow the tablets or capsules whole with water.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Other: Nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, decreased blood sugar, and rash.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril, lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace)
• alpha blockers such as doxazosin (Cardura) and prazosin (Minipress)
• beta blockers such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), pindolol, propranolol (Inderal LA), and sotalol (Betapace)
• cholesterol-lowering medicines (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor)
• doxorubicin
• natural remedies such as chromium, eucalyptus, fenugreek, garlic, ginseng, and gymnema
• diabetes medicines such as glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), repaglinide (Prandin), and rosiglitazone (Avandia)
• medicines to treat Parkinson's disease such as bromocriptine (Parlodel), cabergoline (Dostinex), entacapone (Comtan), levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet), pergolide (Permax), pramipexole (Mirapex), and ropinirole (Requip)
• warfarin (Coumadin)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.