title: Mania associated with self-prescribed acetyl-l-carnitine in a man with bipolar I disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Complementary medicines are readily available and becoming increasingly popular. Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC) is widely recognised as a safe dietary supplement to aid weight loss. We present the case of a patient who had a relapse of mania in the context of ALC use for weight loss over a two week period, on the background of bipolar I disorder previously in remission. The patient's symptoms resolved a few days after ALC was ceased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the high rates of obesity among people with mental illness, it is possible ALC may be utilised in the hope of aiding weight loss. This case highlights the importance of psychiatrists maintaining open communication with their patients about use of complementary medicines, and the risks and benefits of their use.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Registrar, Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Service, Bisbane, QLD, and; School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goodison
authors.affiliation: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Overeem
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychologist, Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Service, Queensland, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: de Monte
authors.affiliation: Clinical Academic Psychiatrist, Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Service, Queensland, QLD, and; School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Siskind
mesh_terms: D000108:Acetylcarnitine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012008:Recurrence; D012651:Self Medication; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000108:Acetylcarnitine
keywords: acetyl-l-carnitine; bipolar I disorder; complementary medicines; mania; supplement