Ubidecarenone for mitochondrial disease

This leaflet is about the use of ubidecarenone (also widely known as ubiquinone) for mitochondrial disease.

This leaflet has been written specifically about the use of this medicine in children. The information may differ from that provided by the manufacturer. Please read this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again.

Name of drug

Ubidecarenone
Also known as ubiquinone, co-enzyme Q10 and co-Q10

Why is it important for my child to take this medicine?

In some mitochondrial diseases, the cells do not have enough co-enzyme Q10 (also known as ubiquinone), which the mitochondria in cells need to work properly to make energy. Giving your child ubidecarenone does not cure the mitochondrial disease but it may help reduce the symptoms.
It is important that your child takes this medicine regularly to replace the ubiquinone that your child’s body does not produce naturally.

What is ubidecarenone available as?

  • Capsules: 10 mg, 30 mg or 120 mg (other strengths are also available)
  • Tablets: 10 mg
  • Liquid medicine: 25 mg in 5 mL

When should I give ubidecarenone?

  • Ubidecarenone can be given once or twice each day. Try to give it at about the same time(s) each day.
  • If it is to be given once each day, this can be in the morning or the evening.
  • If it is to be given twice each day, this should be once in the morning and once in the evening. Ideally, these times are 10–12 hours apart, for example some time between 7 and 8 am, and between 7 and 8 pm. 

Give medicine at about the same times each day so that this becomes part of your child’s daily routine, which will help you remember.

How much should I give?

Your doctor will work out the amount of ubidecarenone (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label.

It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to give.

How should I give it?

Capsules should be swallowed whole with a glass of water, milk or juice. Your child should not chew the capsules.

Tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water, milk or juice. Your child should not chew the tablets. You can crush the tablet and mix it with a small amount of soft food such as yogurt, honey or jam. Make sure your child swallows it straight away, without chewing.

Liquid medicine: Shake the medicine well. Measure out the right amount using an oral syringe or a medicine spoon. You can get these from your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.

When should the medicine start working?

The medicine may take some time to show any real effects.
Your child may need to take it for up to 6 months to see if it is helps.

What if my child is sick (vomits)?

  • If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a dose of ubidecarenone, give them the same dose again.
  • If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after having a dose of ubidecarenone, you do not need to give them another dose. Wait until the next normal dose.

What if I forget to give it?

If you are giving it once a day in the evening: Give the missed dose when you remember, as long as this is at least 12 hours before the next dose is due. You do not need to wake up your child to give a missed dose.

If you normally give it twice each day: If you remember up to 4 hours after you should have given a dose, give your child the missed dose. For example, if you usually give a dose at about 7 am, you can give the missed dose at any time up to 11 am. If you remember after that time, do not give the missed dose. Wait until the next normal dose.

What if I give too much?

If you think you may have given your child too much ubidecarenone, contact your doctor or NHS Direct (0845 4647 in England and Wales; 0845 24 24 24 in Scotland). Have the packet with you if you telephone for advice.

Are there any possible side-effects?

We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side-effects). Your child may get the following side-effects when they first start taking ubidecarenone. These should wear off as your child’s body gets used to the medicine. If they are still a problem after a week or so, contact your doctor.

  • Your child may have stomach ache or cramps, feel sick or be sick (vomit). It may help to give each dose of ubidecarenoneh with some food.
  • They may have diarrhoea. Encourage them to drink plenty of fluid so that they do not get dehydrated.
  • They may not feel hungry. Encourage your child to eat lots of small meals.

Can other medicines be given at the same time as ubidecarenone?

  • You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.
  • Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal or complementary medicines.

Is there anything else I need to know about ubidecarenone?

  • The metabolic diseases vary widely between children and it may take some time to find a medicine that helps with the symptoms. It is important that you continue to give ubidecarenone regularly.

General advice about medicines

  • Try to give medicines at about the same times each day, to help you remember.
  • If you are not sure a medicine is working, contact your doctor but continue to give the medicine as usual in the meantime. Do not give extra doses as you may do harm.
  • Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the same, as this could do harm.

If you think someone else may have taken the medicine by accident, contact your doctor straight away.

  • Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run out.
  • Make sure that the medicine you have at home has not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.

Where I should keep this medicine?

  • Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
  • Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
  • Keep the medicine in the container it came in.

Who to contact for more information

Your child’s doctor, pharmacist or nurse will be able to give you more information about ubidecarenone and about other medicines used to treat mitochondrial disease.


You can also get useful information from:


Publication Date

8/12/2011

Copyright Disclaimer

Version 1.2, January 2010 (November 2011). © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild 2010, all rights reserved. Reviewed by: January 2012.

The primary source for the information in this leaflet is the British National Formulary for Children. For details on any other sources used for this leaflet, please contact us through our website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk
We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply to other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading this leaflet.