A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial L-carnitine and Piracetam in the Treatment of Weakness, Muscle Fatigue and Muscle Pain in the Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome
A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial L-carnitine and Piracetam in the Treatment of Weakness, Muscle Fatigue and Muscle Pain in the Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome
This protocol aims to assess of L-carnitine and piracetam to relieve weakness, muscle fatigue
 and muscle pain in patients with Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients with Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome diagnosis confirmed over a year;

 -  Electromyography test compatible with poliomyelitis;

 -  Preserved ability to swallow medication;

 -  Oral communication ability preserved;

 -  Preserved ability to perform pedaling test in at least one lower limb affected by
 Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome;

 -  Ability to understand information about the study and to document the decision about
 participating in the trial by signing the Informed Consent Form.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  History of intolerance to L-carnitine or piracetam;

 -  Treatment with L-carnitine during the past 3 months;

 -  Treatment with piracetam or any other nootropics pyrrolidone derivatives, during the
 past three months;

 -  Anemia (hemoglobin reference range - men 13 to 17 g/dL and women 12 to 15 g/dL);

 -  High level of glycated hemoglobin (> 7.0%);

 -  Electrolyte imbalance (hypokalaemia - reference potassium concentration range: 3.5 to
 5.6 mmol / L);

 -  Renal failure (creatinine reference range: 0.70 to 1.50 mg/dL);

 -  Urinary tract infection;

 -  Thyroid dysfunction (reference range: free T4: 0.54 to 0.67 mg/dL and TSH reference
 range: 0.5 to 5.5 μUI/mL) or usual treatment with thyroid hormone supplementation;

 -  Cardiomyopathy;

 -  Uncontrolled hypertension;

 -  Known or suspected autoimmune disease;

 -  Confirmed pregnancy, or plans to get pregnant during the trial;

 -  Depression or bipolar affective disorders with moderate to severe episodes within the
 last twelve months;

 -  Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus;

 -  Treatment with anticoagulant drugs over two weeks (including non-steroidal
 anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), warfarin, phenprocoumon, heparin);

 -  Usual cocaine or alcohol use;

 -  Any other condition judged by the investigator as a possibility to interfere on the
 participant's decision to be part of the study or to accomplish investigation
 procedures.