CoQ10, formally known as coenzyme Q10, is a chemical naturally produced by your body. Levels of this biochemical tend to be lower than normal in patients with chronic diseases like heart disease, muscular dystrophy, cancer and diabetes. As a supplement, CoQ10 is often used to treat these diseases and is also used as an energy booster, but these treatments are unproven. CoQ10 does cause some side effects and poses other risks. Consult your doctor before taking CoQ10.
Blood Pressure
CoQ10 may lower blood pressure, which could cause a problem if your blood pressure is already low. It could also cause problems if your blood pressure is high and you are taking medication to lower it. CoQ10 could interact with your medication and cause your pressure to drop too low. If you have blood pressure problems, talk to your doctor before using CoQ10 and monitor your blood pressure carefully while taking it. Also, if you are having surgery, you should tell your doctor about taking CoQ10, because it could make it harder for your doctors to control your blood pressure during the operation.
Blood Sugar
CoQ10 might lower your blood sugar, which could be trouble if you already have low blood sugar. If you have diabetes and are taking medication for it, it could also cause your blood sugar to drop too low. Talk to your doctor before taking CoQ10 and monitor your blood sugar levels while on the supplement to prevent problems.
Liver Problems
In rare cases, people taking CoQ10 have reported elevated liver enzymes, which is a sign of liver damage. For this reason, if you have liver disease or are taking medication that could harm the liver, avoid taking CoQ10 unless you have cleared it with your doctor first.
Other Risks
CoQ10 might cause bleeding problems, though there's so little evidence that it's unclear that it may in fact do this. To be safe, if you have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners, talk to your doctor before taking CoQ10. There's not enough evidence to know whether CoQ10 is safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so it's best to avoid it unless your doctor approves. Some researchers worry that antioxidants like CoQ10 may impair the effectiveness of some cancer drugs. If you are being treated for cancer, do not take CoQ10 without talking to your doctor first.
Side Effects
CoQ10 can cause an allergic reaction that may produce itching or a rash. Other side effects include nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, appetite loss, insomnia, headache, dizziness, difficult moods, light sensitivity, tiredness, and flu-like symptoms. These side effects are usually mild and do not last long.
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