POLICOSANOL

OTHER NAME(S):

32-C, Dotriacontanol, Heptacosanol, Hexacosanol, Nonacosanol, Octacosanol, Tetracosanol, Tétracosanol, Tetratriacontanol, Tétratriacontanol, Triacontanol.<br/><br/>

Overview

Overview Information

Policosanol is a chemical most often obtained from sugar cane. It can also be made from other plants, such as wheat.

Policosanol is most commonly used for leg pain due to poor blood circulation (intermittent claudication). It is also used for high cholesterol and clogged arteries, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work?

Policosanol seems to decrease cholesterol production in the liver and to increase the breakdown of LDL (low-density lipoprotein or "bad") cholesterol. It also decreases the stickiness of particles in the blood known as platelets.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Likely Effective for

  • Leg pain due to poor blood circulation (intermittent claudication). Taking policosanol by mouth seems to improve the distance people with intermittent claudication can walk without pain.

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Clogged arteries (coronary heart disease). Early research shows that taking policosanol, alone or with aspirin for 20 months, can reduce heart disease-related events in people with clogged arteries.
  • Inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia). Early research shows that taking policosanol does not reduce total cholesterol or "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol) in people with inherited high cholesterol.
  • High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia). Research findings disagree about the effectiveness of policosanol for treating high cholesterol. There have been some studies that find it effective. However, most of these studies were done in Cuba, where the sugar cane that is used to make policosanol is grown. Most research done outside Cuba (in Germany, Canada, and South Africa) found that policosanol does not lower cholesterol.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate policosanol for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

Policosanol is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in doses of 5-80 mg daily for up to 3 years. Side effects of policosanol are generally mild and can include headaches, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, upset stomach, skin redness, or weight loss. But these side effects are relatively uncommon.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking policosanol if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Bleeding disorders: Policosanol can slow blood clotting and might increase the chance of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Surgery: Policosanol can slow blood clotting. There is a concern that it might increase the chance of extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using policosanol at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Interactions?

Major Interaction

Do not take this combination

!

  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with POLICOSANOL

    Policosanol might slow blood clotting. Taking policosanol along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.<br/><br/> Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Dosing

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

  • For leg pain due to poor blood circulation (intermittent claudication): 10 mg of policosanol has been taken once or twice daily for up to 2 years.

Previous:
Next: Uses

View References

REFERENCES:

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  • Dulin MF, Hatcher LF, Sasser HC, Barringer TA. Policosanol is ineffective in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84:1543-1548. View abstract.
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  • Arruzazabala, M. L., Noa, M., Menendez, R., Mas, R., Carbajal, D., Valdes, S., and Molina, V. Protective effect of policosanol on atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits with exogenous hypercholesterolemia. Braz.J Med Biol.Res 2000;33(7):835-840. View abstract.
  • Castano, G., Mas, Ferreiro R., Fernandez, L., Gamez, R., Illnait, J., and Fernandez, C. A long-term study of policosanol in the treatment of intermittent claudication. Angiology 2001;52(2):115-125. View abstract.
  • Castano, G., Mas, R., Fernandez, L., Gamez, R., and Illnait, J. Effects of policosanol and lovastatin in patients with intermittent claudication: a double-blind comparative pilot study. Angiology 2003;54(1):25-38. View abstract.
  • Castano, G., Mas, R., Gamez, R., Fernandez, L., and Illnait, J. Effects of policosanol and ticlopidine in patients with intermittent claudication: a double-blinded pilot comparative study. Angiology 2004;55(4):361-371. View abstract.
  • Cholesterol-lowering action of policosanol compares well to that of pravastatin and lovastatin. Cardiovasc.J.S.Afr. 2003;14(3):161. View abstract.
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  • Illnait, J., Castano, G., Alvarez, E., Fernandez, L., Mas, R., Mendoza, S., and Gamez, R. Effects of policosanol (10 mg/d) versus aspirin (100 mg/d) in patients with intermittent claudication: a 10-week, randomized, comparative study. Angiology 2008;59(3):269-277. View abstract.
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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.

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