Ubidecenone — Frequently Asked Questions

No. The internationally recognised name is ubidecarenone, the INN for coenzyme Q10, CAS 303-98-0. Ubidecenone is not a recognised chemical or pharmacopoeial name. When ordering or specifying, the CAS number and either ubidecarenone or coenzyme Q10 should be used, since the misspelling will not match any regulatory or supplier database.

It sits in the inner mitochondrial membrane and shuttles electrons between complexes I and II and complex III of the respiratory chain, a step every aerobic cell depends on to generate ATP. Because it is lipid-soluble it also acts as an antioxidant within membranes, interrupting lipid peroxidation chains where water-soluble antioxidants cannot reach.

Because it is a large, highly lipophilic molecule that is poorly absorbed from the gut. Plain crystalline powder gives modest absorption, so commercial formulations use oil suspensions, solubilised systems, or the reduced ubiquinol form to improve uptake. Formulation strategy matters more for this material than for most supplement actives.

Because statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase in the mevalonate pathway, and that same pathway produces coenzyme Q10 as well as cholesterol. Statin treatment therefore reduces circulating CoQ10, which is the rationale behind supplementation alongside statins. Tissue levels also decline with age independently of any medication.