CoQ10 (Ubiquinol)
200 mg · Daily, with a fat-containing meal
Robert
Founder, F*CK Getting Old — independent researcher, not a medical professional.
Last reviewed · 2 cited sources
Evidence
- Human Studies
- 100
- Animal Studies
- 50
- Clinical Status
- Dietary Supplement
- Confidence
- Moderate
- Long-Term Safety
- Well-tolerated in trials; evidence for its most common use case (offsetting statin-related muscle symptoms) is mixed across studies
What this score is: a measure of how much research exists and how far along it is (animal-only vs. human trials, research-stage vs. FDA approved) — not how safe, effective, or worth trying a compound is. A low score usually means “early stage” or “understudied,” not “bad.” A high score doesn’t mean “better” for your goals than a lower-scored one.
This is not my personal rating of the compound, not a recommendation, and not medical advice. It’s a general research synthesis for informational purposes only, not a live literature count. See the linked research and talk to a licensed clinician before making decisions based on it.
Mechanism
Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble compound central to mitochondrial ATP production and also functions as an antioxidant. Statin medications reduce endogenous CoQ10 synthesis as a side effect of the same pathway they block for cholesterol, which is the main clinical rationale for supplementing it. Ubiquinol is the reduced, more bioavailable form versus ubiquinone.
Common Protocols
- 100–200 mg daily with a fat-containing meal for absorption
- Commonly recommended specifically for people on statin therapy, though evidence there is mixed
Side Effects
- Generally well-tolerated
- Mild GI upset
- Rare: insomnia if taken late in the day
Interactions
- May reduce the effectiveness of warfarin — flag to a clinician if on blood thinners
Practical Details
- Cost
- $$
- Typical Dose
- 200 mg
- Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from light
Key Studies & Reviews
- Qu H et al. (2018). Effects of coenzyme Q10 on statin-induced myopathy: an updated meta-analysis of RCTs. J Am Heart Assoc. PMID 30371340.
- Kennedy C et al. (2020). Effect of coenzyme Q10 on statin-associated myalgia and adherence to statin therapy: systematic review and meta-analysis. Atherosclerosis. PMID 32179207.
Search the Research
CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) FAQ
What is the typical CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) dosage?
Commonly reported protocols: 100–200 mg daily with a fat-containing meal for absorption; Commonly recommended specifically for people on statin therapy, though evidence there is mixed. Our reference entry uses 200 mg, Daily, with a fat-containing meal. These reflect protocols reported in research and user communities, not a medical recommendation — dosing should be decided with a clinician.
What are the side effects of CoQ10 (Ubiquinol)?
Reported side effects include: Generally well-tolerated; Mild GI upset; Rare: insomnia if taken late in the day.
Is CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) FDA approved?
CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) is sold as a dietary supplement. The FDA does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness before they are sold, so third-party tested brands are worth seeking out.
How much research is there on CoQ10 (Ubiquinol)?
Our evidence profile counts roughly 100 human and 50 animal studies, with moderate overall confidence. Long-term safety: Well-tolerated in trials; evidence for its most common use case (offsetting statin-related muscle symptoms) is mixed across studies.
Does CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) interact with other drugs or supplements?
May reduce the effectiveness of warfarin — flag to a clinician if on blood thinners.
Related compounds
Mitochondrial cofactor; often recommended alongside statin use