Multiparticulate L-carnitine compositions and related methods

1. An oral controlled-release multiparticulate dosage form comprising a plurality of individually enteric coated particulates containing an L-carnitine that independently disperse in a patient's stomach after oral ingestion and travel through the stomach and past the pyloric sphincter without substantially releasing the L-carnitine in the stomach, the individually enteric coated particulates comprising (a) a solid core containing the L-carnitine, (b) a subcoating containing a cellulosic water soluble polymer over the core, and (c) an enteric coating over the subcoating, a predominant component of the enteric coating being an enteric polymer.

2. The dosage form of claim 1 , wherein the L-carnitine is selected from at least one of L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, and propionyl-L-carnitine.

3. The dosage form of claim 1 , wherein the enteric polymer is selected from at least one of methacrylic acid co-polymer, cellulose acetate phthalate, and polyvinyl acetate phthalate.

4. The dosage form of claim 1 , wherein the solid core comprises a pellet and the L-carnitine is located on an outer surface of the pellet.

5. The dosage form of claim 4 , wherein the pellet is a non-pareil or microcrystalline cellulose pellet.

6. The dosage form of claim 1 , wherein the L-carnitine is blended with microcrystalline cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in the solid core.

7. The dosage form of claim 1 , wherein the average diameter of the individually enteric coated particulates is about 0.1-3 mm.

8. The dosage form of claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic water soluble polymer over the core comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

9. The dosage form of claim 1 , further comprising polysorbate 80 effective to enhance permeation of the L-carnitine in a patient's tissue.

10. An oral controlled-release multiparticulate dosage form comprising an L-carnitine in a plurality of independently dispersible particulates that independently disperse in a patient's stomach after oral ingestion and travel through the stomach and past the pyloric sphincter without substantially releasing the L-carnitine in the stomach, the independently dispersible particulates comprising:

a spheroidal core comprising the L-carnitine, microcrystalline cellulose, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose;

a subcoat over the spheroidal core, the subcoat comprising hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; and

an enteric coat over the subcoated spheroidal core, a predominant component of the enteric coat being an enteric polymer;

wherein the average diameter of the independently dispersible particulates is about 0.1-3 mm.

11. The dosage form of claim 10 , wherein the L-carnitine is selected from at least one of L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, and propionyl-L-carnitine.

12. The dosage form of claim 10 , wherein the enteric coat is selected from at least one of methacrylic acid co-polymer, cellulose acetate phthalate, and polyvinyl acetate phthalate.

13. The dosage form of claim 10 , wherein the spheroidal core comprises about 30%-90% w/w of the L-carnitine, about 15%-70% w/w microcrystalline cellulose, and about 0.5%-1.5% w/w hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

14. The dosage form of claim 10 , further comprising polysorbate 80 effective to enhance permeation of the L-carnitine in the subject's tissue.

15. A method of treating a physiological condition associated with a reduction of endogenous L-carnitine in the body of a patient, the method comprising:

administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of oral multiparticulate dosage form comprising a plurality of individually enteric coated particulates containing an L-carnitine that independently disperse in the patient's stomach after oral ingestion and travel through the stomach and past the pyloric sphincter without substantially releasing the L-carnitine in the stomach, the individual particulates comprising (a) a solid core containing the L-carnitine, (b) a subcoating containing a cellulosic water soluble polymer over the core, and (c) an enteric coating over the subcoating, a predominant component of the enteric coating being an enteric polymer, wherein the physiological condition is selected from at least one of carnitine deficiency, age related decline in mitochondrial function, cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, angina pectoris, intermittent claudication, end-stage renal failure, Alzheimer's disease, and decreased sperm motility.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein administering the oral multiparticulate dosage form to the patient comprises administering at least one capsule containing the independently dispersible particulates therein.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein administering the oral multiparticulate dosage form to the patient comprises combining, prior to oral ingestion, the oral multiparticulate dosage form with an acidic food vehicle.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein administering the oral multiparticulate dosage form to the patient comprises providing a blend of the multiparticulate dosage form and an acidic food vehicle to the patient through a feeding tube.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the L-carnitine is selected from at least one of L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, and propionyl-L-carnitine.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the enteric coat is selected from at least one of methacrylic acid co-polymer, cellulose acetate phthalate, and polyvinyl acetate phthalate.

21. The method of claim 15 , wherein the solid core comprises a pellet and the L-carnitine is located on an outer surface of the pellet.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the pellet is a non-pareil or microcrystalline cellulose pellet.

23. The method of claim 15 , wherein the L-carnitine is blended with microcrystalline cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in the solid core.

24. The method of claim 15 , wherein the average diameter of the independently dispersible particulates is about 0.1-3 mm.

25. The method of claim 15 , wherein the cellulosic water soluble polymer over the core comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.