Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10/Nutrient Depletion:

  • Antidepressant agentsAntidepressant agents: Kishi et al. discussed the inhibition of myocardial respiration by psychotherapeutic drugs and the prevention by CoQ (406).According to secondary sources, antidepressants may reduce the natural production of CoQ10; therefore, use of both agents may result in diminished effects of CoQ10. Specific medications noted in anecdotal reports include amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, and perphenazine. In human research, CoQ10 prevented vomiting associated with amitriptyline (43). In vitro, CoQ10 protected against amitriptyline toxicity (401). Reactive oxygen species production, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death were all reduced.
  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: According to secondary sources, some oral diabetic medications, such as chlorpropamide, glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide, tolazamide, tolbutamide, acetohexamide, and biguanides, may reduce CoQ10 concentrations. Evidence is conflicting about the actions of CoQ10 on blood glucose (213; 216; 215).
  • Antipsychotic agentsAntipsychotic agents: Kishi et al. discussed the inhibition of myocardial respiration by psychotherapeutic drugs and the prevention by CoQ (406). Further details are limited. According to secondary sources, antipsychotics may reduce the natural production of CoQ10. Specific antipsychotics mentioned in anecdotal reports include chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, promethazine, thioridazine, trifluoperazine, and trimipramine. Supplementation of CoQ10 may also reduce the cardiac side effects from the use of phenothiazine and tricyclic antidepressants.
  • Beta-blockersBeta-blockers: In human research, CoQ10 reduced timolol-induced increased heart rate (463). According to secondary sources, beta-blockers may reduce serum concentrations of CoQ10.
  • ClonidineClonidine: According to secondary sources, clonidine may reduce CoQ10 concentrations.
  • DiureticsDiuretics: According to secondary sources, diuretics may reduce CoQ10 concentrations.
  • GlucoseGlucose: Although one study showed that CoQ10 reduced fasting and two-hour postprandial blood glucose concentrations in patients with diabetes (213), another study showed that CoQ10 did not have effects on blood glucose (216).
  • LipidsLipids: In human research, CoQ10 was shown to reduce triglycerides and LDL (319; 213).
  • MethyldopaMethyldopa: According to secondary sources, methyldopa may reduce CoQ10 concentrations.
  • Omega-3 fatty acidsOmega-3 fatty acids: In human research, omega-3 fatty acids reduced the increased CoQ10 in plasma that occurred with CoQ10 supplementation (353).
  • StatinsStatins: In human research in hypercholesterolemic patients, statins reduced serum CoQ10 levels (496; 411; 412; 413; 432; 414; 497).
  • Total cholesterolTotal cholesterol: In human research, CoQ10 decreased total cholesterol levels (319).