Overview
People take squalamine as an antibiotic to fight bacterial infections.
Squalamine is applied to the scalp for a type of ringworm. It is also used as an eye drop for an eye disorder called retinal vein occlusion.
Squalamine is injected into the vein for cancer and for an eye disorder called age-related macular degeneration.
Don’t confuse squalamine with shark cartilage, which is prepared from the cartilage of spiny dogfish shark, hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), and other shark species. Also, don’t confuse squalamine with oil made from shark liver.
How does it work ?
Uses & Effectiveness
Insufficient Evidence for
- Age-related vision loss (age-related macular degeneration; AMD). Early research shows injecting squalamine in the vein might help people with AMD see better.
- Lung cancer. Early research shows that injecting squalamine in the vein along with certain cancer medications might reduce tumor size and help patients live slightly longer.
- Blocked veins in the eye (retinal vein occlusion). Early research shows that using squalamine eye drops might help people with blocked veins in the eye see better.
- Scalp ringworm. Early research shows that applying a lotion containing squalamine to the scalp does not cure scalp ringworm. But it might help the hair grow faster.
- Other types of cancer.
- Infections, when taken by mouth or applied to the skin.
- Other conditions.
Side Effects
It is not known if taking squalamine by mouth is safe or what the possible side effects might be.
Special Precautions and Warnings
It is not known if taking squalamine by mouth is safe or what the possible side effects might be. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of squalamine during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Squalamine is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin, short-term, in children 6-15 years old
Interactions
We currently have no information for SQUALAMINE overview.
Dosing
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.
This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.