OCTACOSANOL Overview Information
Octacosanol is a chemical found in a variety of plants, including sugar cane and wheat germ oil. It is chemically similar to vitamin E.
Octacosanol is used to improve exercise performance including strength, stamina, and reaction time. It is also used for herpes infections, skin diseases, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease), high cholesterol, and “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis).
Be careful not to confuse octacosanol with policosanol.
How does it work?
Octacosanol might help improve the way our body uses oxygen.
OCTACOSANOL Uses & Effectiveness 
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease). Early research suggests that octacosanol does not improve symptoms of ALS.
- Parkinson's disease. Developing research suggests that octacosanol might improve symptoms in some people with Parkinson’s disease.
- Improving athletic performance including strength, stamina, and reaction time.
- Herpes infections.
- Skin diseases.
- High cholesterol.
- “Hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis).
- Other conditions.
OCTACOSANOL Side Effects & Safety
There is not enough information to know if octacosanol is safe.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of octacosanol during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Parkinson’s disease: Octacosanol might make some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease worse if it is used with the Parkinson’s disease medication levodopa/carbidopa. Don’t use this combination.
OCTACOSANOL Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Levodopa/Carbidopa (Sinemet) interacts with OCTACOSANOL
Levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) is used for Parkinson's disease. Taking octacosanol along with levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) might make Parkinson's disease symptoms worse. Do not take octacosanol if you are taking levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet).
OCTACOSANOL Dosing
The appropriate dose of octacosanol depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for octacosanol. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
