Patent ID: 7655259

Claim:
A method of reducing gastrointestinal irritation associated with carnitine therapy in humans, comprising administering a sustained release formulation containing a dose of from 50 mg/kg/Day to 100 mg/kg/Day of coated carnitine granules to a human in need thereof, said carnitine being passed through a 20 mesh screen prior to being coated with at least 39% by weight of a copolymer synthesized from methacrylic acid esters with quaternary ammonium groups, wherein the molar ratio of the ammonium groups to the methacrylic acid esters is 40:1, whereby the release of carnitine is at such a rate that the quantity of carnitine present in the stomach or intestine at any one time is below the amount likely to cause gastrointestinal irritation to the human receiving the carnitine therapy.