Ubiquinone

What it is

Ubiquinone, also called coenzyme Q10, is a fat-soluble compound the body makes on its own and uses inside mitochondria, where it carries electrons along the respiratory chain that produces cellular energy. It also acts as an antioxidant in cell membranes. It is sold over the counter and is commonly taken for general energy support and as an adjunct in heart failure.

Used for

• Energy
• Heart failure

What to know while taking it

Because the molecule is fat-soluble, it is absorbed poorly on an empty stomach and is taken with a meal that contains some fat. It can interact with warfarin: ubiquinone is structurally related to vitamin K and may blunt the anticoagulant effect, so INR is worth watching closely if the two are combined. Anyone on warfarin is best served by telling the doctor or pharmacist before starting it rather than adding it quietly.

When to see a doctor

Bleeding, unusual bruising, or an INR that drifts out of range after ubiquinone is added calls for a doctor's review. Worsening breathlessness or swelling in heart failure is a matter for the treating physician, not for a supplement adjustment.

Worth knowing

• Absorbed better with fat