A case history of myopathic carnitine deficiency benefited by glucocorticoids and L-carnitine supplementation.

While the term "drug-nutrient interactions" tends to conjure up a concept of an adverse combination, such as anticonvulsants impairing folate metabolism or alcohol blocking active thiamine absorption, there are situations in which a drug and nutrient can act in a complementary manner, to correct a metabolic defect. This case history illustrates such a positive interaction of glucocorticoids and L-carnitine supplements improving muscle function in a patient with myopathic carnitine deficiency.