Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone, is essential for energy production. It is an antioxidant—a molecule that has been shown to counteract processes resulting in disease.

Coenzyme Q10 deficiency primarily affects the heart and leads to heart failure. This deficiency can result from impaired coenzyme Q10 production or an increased need for it resulting from cardiovascular disease. Also, coenzyme Q10 levels may drop as we age.

A growing body of research shows that using a coenzyme Q10 supplement alone or in combination with other drug therapy may be beneficial in the treatment of several health problems, particularly cardiac conditions and diseases, breast cancer, diabetes mellitus, immune deficiency, muscular dystrophy, and periodontal disease.

Coenzyme Q10 supplementation may be of special interest to patients with high blood pressure. The supplement has a tendency to lower high blood pressure after 4 to 12 weeks of use.

Some cholesterol-lowering medications may deplete levels of coenzyme Q10 in the body, so people with high cholesterol who take these medications should also consider taking coenzyme Q10 supplements.

This supplement can also be used as a pretreatment for cardiac bypass surgery. It has been shown to reduce oxidative damage and protect the heart during surgery.

Coenzyme Q10 is found in every plant and animal cell. Primary dietary sources include oily fish, organ meats such as liver, and whole grains. Most people get enough coenzyme Q10 in their diet. Supplementation can be helpful in individuals with certain health conditions and in the elderly, because levels of coenzyme Q10 can decline with advancing age.

Coenzyme Q10 is available as a supplement in several forms, including softgel capsules, spray, hardshell capsules, and tablets.

Pediatric

There are no known reports to date about use of Coenzyme Q10 supplements in children. Therefore, use in children is not recommended at this time.

Adult

The general recommended dose for supplementation is 25 mg twice daily. Experimental doses include the following:

• 100 mg a day in patients with heart disease
• 60 mg a day for 4 to 8 weeks to enhance athletic performance
• 120 mg a day for 28 days after a heart attack
• 400 mg per day for potential prevention and treatment of breast cancer, and possibly other forms of cancer

Coenzyme Q10 should be taken with a meal containing oil since it is fat soluble. The body does not absorb it as well in the absence of oil.

Coenzyme Q10 appears to be safe with no significant side effects. However, the safety of supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding is unknown.

Coenzyme Q10 may help to reduce the toxic effects on the heart of daunorubicin and doxorubicin, two chemotherapy medications that are commonly used to treat a variety of cancers. Consult your healthcare provider before using coenzyme Q10 supplements while you are taking these medications.

In a scientific study, supplementation with CoQ10 in patients taking medications for high blood pressure (such as diltiazem, metoprolol, enalapril, and nitrate) resulted in the need for lower doses of these medications. More research is needed to verify these results; therefore, you should consult your healthcare practitioner before adding CoQ10 supplements to your existing medication regimen.

There have been reports that coenzyme Q10 may decrease the effectiveness of blood-thinning medications such as warfarin. Therefore, you should not use CoQ10 supplements if you are currently taking warfarin without discussing this with your healthcare provider.

In one study, treatment with CoQ10 in patients using timolol drops, a beta-blocker medication used to treat glaucoma, reduced side effects on the heart without decreasing the effectiveness of the medication. Consult your healthcare provider about whether CoQ10 supplements may be appropriate for you if you are being treated with timolol.

Please refer to the consumer depletions monographs for additional information on other medications that may reduce the levels of coenzyme Q10 in the body, such as gemfibrozil, beta-blockers, and tricyclic antidepressant medications, to name a few.

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