Preprint Adverse effects of CoenzymeQ10 in the treatment of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), 2024, Olsson

https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-5362194/v1

Adverse effects of CoenzymeQ10 in the treatment of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS)

Gunnar L. Olsson1

1 Karolinska Institute


Purpose
In an ongoing study of oxidative stress and the effect of CoenzymeQ10 (CoQ10) at Bragée ME-Center in Stockholm, Sweden, incident and type of adverse effects were studied.

Method
Information of adverse effects were collected in three ways: 1: Study participants ending the study due to adverse effects. 2: Video consultations during the 12 weeks study where changes of symptoms and adverse effects were asked for. 3: At the end of the study the principal investigator (PI) asked for the occurrence of adverse effects.

Results
14 patients (11,7%) ended the study due to adverse effects. Most severe adverse effect was depression. During video visits 300 occurrences of changing symptoms/adverse effects were recorded. Most common were insomnia, headache and gastroenteric dysfunction. At the visit to the PI at the end of the study 47 participants reported adverse effects, most commonly mild reactions such as rashes, insomnia and gastrointestinal symptoms. More severe adverse effects reported were palpitations, depression, headache, and anxiety.

Conclusion
Adverse effects when taking CoQ10 seem to be common. Most often the symptoms are mild. Gastrointestinal symptoms, rashes and insomnia were common. A more severe adverse reaction was depression which previously has not been described.

 

I took ubiquinol because my blood levels were low. I stopped taking it after 3 months because it gave me artificial energy and I started feeling jittery.

 

CoQ10 gives me energy, but also insomnia, unfortunately.

 

Coq10 gives me absolutely nothing.
I cannot tell at all a difference between taking it and not.
And my blood tests show very low levels.

 

My response to CoQ10 is over a wide range. I have had boosts to energy levels, allowing me to finish my university studies. I have had zero benefit from a wide range of CoQ10 supplements, my response to specific supplements has been highly variable. I have had it induce subtle cognitive changes. My worst was in 1993 or so. I got hit with severe memory loss for a day. I could not recall where I lived. This was the day after I took CoQ10 for the first time. Like with many supplements we have to take the individual response into account.

 

Note the very high dosage used: “The participants took CoQ10 1050 mg daily for 12 weeks and were closely monitored during the study for possible adverse effects.”‬

 

There was a discussion on PR many years ago where a member "SOC" who was taking high dose CoQ10 recommended by Dr. Klimas that improved her delayed PEM. She wrote about her detailed experience.