Patient/caregiver was educated on how to take coenzyme Q as follows:
- Take this medication as ordered by your physician. Do not change the dose and frequency on this medication without consulting your doctor.
- Take the medication dose at the same time, every day, to avoid forgetting the intake of medication.
- Coenzyme Q can induce some nausea and vomiting, when taken on empty stomach. Taking the medication with a glass of water and some food or snack can help avoid these unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Coenzyme Q intake can induce some dizziness and hypotension. The episodes of hypotension with coenzyme Q can be self-limiting and blood pressure can come back to normal levels in a 2 – 3 week period. By reducing blood pressure, coenzyme Q can contribute to enhancing the activity of any other antihypertensive medications patient could be taking. Observe compliance with everyday blood pressure log maintenance. If the dizziness and hypotension become bothersome, report it to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in plan of care to be considered.
- Take the regular tablet as a whole. If you encounter difficulty swallowing the whole tablet, you may cut the tablet and swallow it in pieces with a glass of water.
- If you are prescribed coenzyme Q capsules or softgels, swallow it as a whole and do not cut or crush the capsule.
- Coenzyme Q could also be prescribed as chewable tablets, which can be chewed in the mouth before swallowing.
- Though coenzyme Q is found in every cell of the body, it is present in higher concentrations in organs with very active metabolism and consequently, have very high energy requirements such as the kidneys, brain, liver, and heart. So, observing compliance with organ meat in the diet plan can help cover the deficiency of coenzyme Q to a significant extent.
- Various medications, for example, statins, can interfere with coenzyme Q synthesis, thus contributing to deficiency of the supplement. Individuals with history of elevated cholesterol and taking statins to control the blood cholesterol are at increased risk for deficiency with coenzyme Q, as statins, in addition to controlling cholesterol levels, also block the synthesis of coenzyme Q in the body. This deficiency of coenzyme Q can lead to increased fatigue and lack of energy. Discuss with your physician regarding all other medications you are currently taking and their chances of inhibiting synthesis of coenzyme Q.
- Discontinuing the medication should only on your physician’s recommendation.
- Your physician could change the dose of coenzyme Q, based on the relief obtained or side-effects developed. So, maintain compliance with follow-up physician appointments, to update on the relief from symptoms. Be accommodative to the plan of dose changes, until you show an optimum response.
- If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.
