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

  • A procedure to open a blocked or narrowed blood vessel (angioplasty). Early research shows that taking policosanol does not help to decrease platelet activity in people who have had an angioplasty with a stent.
  • 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:

  • Crespo N, Illnait J, Mas R, et al. Comparative study of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol and lovastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia and noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Int.J.Clin.Pharmacol.Res. 1999;19:117-127. View abstract.
  • Cubeddu LX, Cubeddu RJ, Heimowitz T, et al. Comparative lipid-lowering effects of policosanol and atorvastatin: a randomized, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am Heart J 2006;152:982-985. View abstract.
  • 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.
  • Fernandez JC, Mas R, Castano G, et al. Comparison of the efficacy, safety and tolerability of policosanol versus fluvastatin in elderly hypercholesterolaemic women. Clin Drug Invest. 2001;21:103–13.
  • Fernandez L, Mas R, Illnait J, Fernandez JC. Policosanol: results of a postmarketing surveillance study of 27,879 patients. Curr Ther Res 1998;59(10):717-22.
  • Francini-Pesenti F, Beltramolli D, Dall'acqua S, Brocadello F. Effect of sugar cane policosanol on lipid profile in primary hypercholesterolemia. Phytother Res 2008;22:318-322. View abstract.
  • Francini-Pesenti F, Brocadello F, Beltramolli D, et al. Sugar cane policosanol failed to lower plasma cholesterol in primitive, diet-resistant hypercholesterolaemia: A double blind, controlled study. Complement Ther Med 2008;16:61-65. View abstract.
  • Alcocer, L., Fernandez, L., Campos, E., and Mas, R. A comparative study of policosanol Versus acipimox in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia. Int.J.Tissue React. 1999;21(3):85-92. View abstract.
  • Aleman, C. L., Mas, R., Hernandez, C., Rodeiro, I., Cerejido, E., Noa, M., Capote, A., Menendez, R., Amor, A., Fraga, V., and . A 12-month study of policosanol oral toxicity in Sprague Dawley rats. Toxicol.Lett. 1994;70(1):77-87. View abstract.
  • Aleman, C. L., Puig, M. N., Elias, E. C., Ortega, C. H., Guerra, I. R., Ferreiro, R. M., and Brinis, F. Carcinogenicity of policosanol in mice: an 18-month study. Food Chem.Toxicol. 1995;33(7):573-578. View abstract.
  • Arruzazabala, M. L., Carbajal, D., Mas, R., Valdes, S., and Molina, V. Pharmacological Interaction Between Policosanol and Nitroprusside in Rats. J Med Food 2001;4(2):67-70. View abstract.
  • 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.
  • Fontani, G., Maffei, D., and Lodi, L. Policosanol, reaction time and event-related potentials. Neuropsychobiology 2000;41(3):158-165. View abstract.
  • Gamez, R., Aleman, C. L., Mas, R., Noa, M., Rodeiro, I., Garcia, H., Hernandez, C., Menendez, R., and Aguilar, C. A 6-Month Study on the Toxicity of High Doses of Policosanol Orally Administered to Sprague-Dawley Rats. J Med Food 2001;4(2):57-65. View abstract.
  • 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.
  • Janikula, M. Policosanol: a new treatment for cardiovascular disease? Altern.Med.Rev. 2002;7(3):203-217. View abstract.
  • Kassis, A. N. and Jones, P. J. Changes in cholesterol kinetics following sugar cane policosanol supplementation: a randomized control trial. Lipids Health Dis 2008;7:17. View abstract.
  • Kassis, A. N. Evaluation of cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant properties of sugar cane policosanols in hamsters and humans. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2008;33(3):540-541. View abstract.
  • Mas, R., Castano, G., Fernandez, J., Gamez, R. R., Illnait, J., Fernandez, L., Lopez, E., Mesa, M., Alvarez, E., and Mendoza, S. Long- term effects of policosanol on older patients with Type 2 diabetes. Asia Pac.J Clin Nutr. 2004;13(Suppl):S101. View abstract.
  • Menendez, R., Mas, R., Amor, A. M., Gonzalez, R. M., Fernandez, J. C., Rodeiro, I., Zayas, M., and Jimenez, S. Effects of policosanol treatment on the susceptibility of low density lipoprotein (LDL) isolated from healthy volunteers to oxidative modification in vitro. Br.J.Clin.Pharmacol. 2000;50(3):255-262. View abstract.
  • Mesa, A. R., Mas, R., Noa, M., Hernandez, C., Rodeiro, I., Gamez, R., Garcia, M., Capote, A., and Aleman, C. L. Toxicity of policosanol in beagle dogs: one-year study. Toxicol.Lett. 1994;73(2):81-90. View abstract.
  • Mirkin, A., Mas, R., Martinto, M., Boccanera, R., Robertis, A., Poudes, R., Fuster, A., Lastreto, E., Yanez, M., Irico, G., McCook, B., and Farre, A. Efficacy and tolerability of policosanol in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. Int.J.Clin.Pharmacol.Res. 2001;21(1):31-41. View abstract.
  • Prat, H., Roman, O., and Pino, E. [Comparative effects of policosanol and two HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on type II hypercholesterolemia]. Rev.Med.Chil. 1999;127(3):286-294. View abstract.
  • Reiner, Z. and Tedeschi-Reiner, E. Rice policosanol does not have any effects on blood coagulation factors in hypercholesterolemic patients. Coll.Antropol. 2007;31(4):1061-1064. View abstract.
  • Rodriguez-Echenique, C., Mesa, R., Mas, R., Noa, M., Menendez, R., Gonzalez, R. M., Amor, A. M., Fraga, V., Sotolongo, V., and Laguna, A. Effects of policosanol chronically administered in male monkeys (Macaca arctoides). Food Chem.Toxicol. 1994;32(6):565-575. View abstract.
  • Tedeschi-Reiner, E., Reiner, Z., Romic, Z., and Ivankovic, D. [A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the antilipemic efficacy and tolerability of food supplement policosanol in patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia]. Lijec.Vjesn. 2005;127(11-12):273-279. View abstract.
  • Abdul MI, Jiang X, Williams KM, et al. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of echinacea and policosanol with warfarin in healthy subjects. Br J Clin.Pharmacol. 2010;69:508-15. View abstract.
  • Arruzazabala ML, Mas R, Molina V, et al. Effect of policosanol on platelet aggregation in type II hypercholesterolemic patients. Int J Tissue React 1998;20:119-24. View abstract.
  • Arruzazabala ML, Molina V, Mas R, et al. Antiplatelet effects of policosanol (20 and 40 mg/day) in healthy volunteers and dyslipidaemic patients. Clin.Exp.Pharmacol.Physiol 2002;29:891-897. View abstract.
  • Arruzazabala ML, Valdes S, Mas R, et al. Comparative study of policosanol, aspirin and the combination therapy policosanol-aspirin on platelet aggregation in healthy volunteers. Pharmacol Res 1997;36:293-7. View abstract.
  • Arruzazabala ML, Valdes S, Mas R, et al. Effect of policosanol successive dose increases on platelet aggregation in healthy volunteers. Pharmacol Res 1996;34:181-5. View abstract.
  • Barrat E, Zaïr Y, Ogier N, et al. A combined natural supplement lowers LDL cholesterol in subjects with moderate untreated hypercholesterolemia: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2013;64(7):882-9. View abstract.
  • Barrat E, Zaïr Y, Sirvent P, et al. Effect on LDL-cholesterol of a large dose of a dietary supplement with plant extracts in subjects with untreated moderate hypercholesterolaemia: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Eur J Nutr. 2013;52(8):1843-52. View abstract.
  • Batista J, Stusser R, Saez F, Perez B. Effect of policosanol on hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease in middle-aged patients. A 14-month pilot study. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 1996;34:134-7. View abstract.
  • Berthold HK, Unverdorben S, Degenhardt R, et al. Effect of policosanol on lipid levels among patients with hypercholesterolemia or combined hyperlipidemia: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2006;295:2262-69. View abstract.
  • Canetti M, Moreira M, Mas R, et al. A two-year study on the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinaemia. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1995;15:159-65. View abstract.
  • Carbajal D, Arruzazabala ML, Valdes S, Mas R. Effect of policosanol on platelet aggregation and serum levels of arachidonic acid metabolites in healthy volunteers. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1998;58:61-4. View abstract.
  • Castano G, Canetti M, Moreira M, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of policosanol in elderly patients with type II hypercholesterolemia: A 12-month study. Curr Ther Res 1995;56:819-23.
  • Castano G, Fernandez L, Mas R, et al. Comparison of the efficacy, safety and tolerability of original policosanol versus other mixtures of higher aliphatic primary alcohols in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia. Int.J.Clin.Pharmacol.Res. 2002;22:55-66. View abstract.
  • Castano G, Fernandez L, Mas R, et al. Effects of addition of policosanol to omega-3 fatty acid therapy on the lipid profile of patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia. Drugs R.D 2005;6:207-219. View abstract.
  • Castaño G, Fernández L, Mas R, Illnait J, Mesa M, Fernández JC. Comparison of the effects of policosanol and atorvastatin on lipid profile and platelet aggregation in patients with dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clin Drug Investig. 2003;23(10):639-50. View abstract.
  • Castano G, Mas R, Arruzazabala ML, et al. Effects of policosanol and pravastatin on lipid profile, platelet aggregation and endothelemia in older hypercholesterolemic patients. Int.J.Clin.Pharmacol.Res. 1999;19:105-116. View abstract.
  • Castano G, Mas R, Fernandez JC, et al. Effects of policosanol in older patients with type II hypercholesterolemia and high coronary risk. J.Gerontol.A Biol.Sci.Med.Sci. 2001;56:M186-M192. View abstract.
  • Castano G, Mas R, Fernandez L, et al. A comparison of the effects of D-003 and policosanol (5 and 10 mg/day) in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia: a randomized, double-blinded study. Drugs Exp Clin Res 2005;31 Suppl:31-44. View abstract.
  • Castano G, Mas R, Fernandez L, et al. Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol with atorvastatin in elderly patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia. Drugs Aging 2003;20:153-63. View abstract.
  • Castano G, Mas R, Fernandez L, et al. Effects of policosanol 20 versus 40 mg/day in the treatment of patients with type II hypercholesterolemia: a 6-month double-blind study. Int.J.Clin.Pharmacol.Res. 2001;21:43-57. View abstract.
  • Castano G, Mas R, Fernandez L, et al. Effects of policosanol on postmenopausal women with type II hypercholesterolemia. Gynecol.Endocrinol. 2000;14:187-195. View abstract.
  • Castano G, Mas R, Gamez R, et al. Concomitant use of policosanol and beta-blockers in older patients. Int J Clin Pharmacol.Res 2004;24:65-77. View abstract.
  • Castano G, Mas R, Roca J, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of policosanol in patients with intermittent claudication. Angiology 1999;50:123-30. View abstract.
  • Castano G, Menendez R, Mas R, et al. Effects of policosanol and lovastatin on lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in patients with dyslipidemia associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Int.J.Clin.Pharmacol.Res. 2002;22:89-99. View abstract.
  • Castano G, Tula L, Canetti M, et al. Effects of policosanol in hypertensive patients with type II hypercholesterolemia. Curr Ther Res 1996;57:691-5.
  • Castano G1, Mas R, Fernandez JC, et al. Effects of policosanol on older patients with hypertension and type II hypercholesterolaemia. Drugs R.D. 2002;3:159-172. View abstract.
  • Chen JT, Wesley R, Shamburek RD, et al. Meta-Analysis of natural therapies for hyperlipidemia: plant sterols and stanols versus policosanol. Pharmacotherapy 2005;25:171-83. View abstract.
  • Cicero, AF, Rovati LC, and Setnikar I. Eulipidemic effects of berberine administered alone or in combination with other natural cholesterol-lowering agents. A single-blind clinical investigation. Arzneimittelforschung. 2007;57:26-30. View abstract.
  • Greyling A, De Witt C, Oosthuizen W, Jerling JC. Effects of a policosanol supplement on serum lipid concentrations in hypercholesterolaemic and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects. Br J Nutr 2006;95:968-75. View abstract.
  • Kassis AN, Jones PJ. Lack of cholesterol-lowering efficacy of Cuban sugar cane policosanols in hypercholesterolemic persons. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84:1003-8. View abstract.
  • Krieger D, Krieger S, Jansen O, et al. Manganese and chronic hepatic encephalopathy. Lancet 1995;346:270-4. View abstract.
  • Lin Y, Rudrum M, van der Wielen RP, et al. Wheat germ policosanol failed to lower plasma cholesterol in subjects with normal to mildly elevated cholesterol concentrations. Metabolism 2004;53:1309-14. View abstract.
  • Mas R, Castano G, Fernandez J, et al. Long-term effects of policosanol on obese patients with Type II Hypercholesterolemia. Asia Pac.J Clin Nutr. 2004;13(Suppl):S102.
  • Mas R, Castano G, Illnait J, et al. Effects of policosanol in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia and additional coronary risk factors. Clin.Pharmacol.Ther. 1999;65:439-447. View abstract.
  • Menendez R, Arruzazabala L, Mas R, et al. Cholesterol-lowering effect of policosanol on rabbits with hypercholesterolaemia induced by a wheat starch-casein diet. Br J Nutr 1997;77:923-32. View abstract.
  • Menendez R, Fernandez SI, Del Rio A, et al. Policosanol inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis and enhances low density lipoprotein processing in cultured human fibroblasts. Biol Res 1994;27:199-203. View abstract.
  • Merck Index, 12th ed. Whitehouse Station: Merck Research Laboratories, 1996.
  • Moghissi KS. Risks and benefits of nutritional supplements during pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 1981;58:68S-78S. View abstract.
  • Molina, Cuevas, V, Arruzazabala, M. L., Carbajal, Quintana D., Mas, Ferreiro R., and Valdes, Garcia S. Effect of policosanol on arterial blood pressure in rats. Study of the pharmacological interaction with nifedipine and propranolol. Arch Med Res 1998;29(1):21-24. View abstract.
  • Neal H. Dictionary of Chemical Names and Synonyms. Chelsea: Lewis Publishers, 1992.
  • O'Dell BL. Mineral interactions relevant to nutrient requirements. J Nutr 1989;119:1832-8. View abstract.
  • Ogier N, Amiot MJ, Georgé S, et al. LDL-cholesterol-lowering effect of a dietary supplement with plant extracts in subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia. Eur J Nutr. 2013;52(2):547-57. View abstract.
  • Ortensi G, Gladstein J, Valli H, Tesone PA. Comparative study of policosanol versus simvastatin in elderly patients with hypercholesterolemia. Cur Ther Res 1997;58:390-401.
  • Parker SP. ed. McGaw Hill Dictionary of Chemistry. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company 1984.
  • Penland JG, Johnson PE. Dietary calcium and manganese effects on menstrual cycle symptoms. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993;168:1417-23. View abstract.
  • Pons P, Rodriguez M, Robaina C, et al. Effects of successive dose increases of policosanol on the lipid profile of patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia and tolerability to treatment. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1994;14:27-33. View abstract.
  • Ruscica M, Gomaraschi M, Mombelli G, Macchi C, Bosisio R, Pazzucconi F, Pavanello C, Calabresi L, Arnoldi A, Sirtori CR, Magni P. Nutraceutical approach to moderate cardiometabolic risk: results of a randomized, double-blind and crossover study with Armolipid Plus. J Clin Lipidol. 2014;8(1):61-8. View abstract.
  • Stusser R, Batista J, Padron R, et al. Long-term therapy with policosanol improves treadmill exercise-ECG testing performance of coronary heart disease patients. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 1998;36:469-73. View abstract.
  • Torres O, Agramonte AJ, Illnait J, et al. Treatment of hypercholesterolemia in NIDDM with policosanol. Diabetes Care 1995;18:393-7. View abstract.
  • Valdes S, Arruzazabala ML, Fernandez L. Effect of policosanol on platelet aggregation in healthy volunteers. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1996;16:67-72. View abstract.
  • Xu K, Liu X, Li Y, Wang Y, Zang H, Guo L, et al. Safety and efficacy of policosanol in patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity after drug-eluting stent implantation: two-year follow-up results. Cardiovasc Ther. 2016 Oct;34(5):337-42. doi: 10.1111/1755-5922.12204. View abstract.

Vitamins Survey

Have you ever purchased POLICOSANOL?

Did you or will you purchase this product in-store or online?

Where did you or where do you plan to purchase this product?

Where did you or where do you plan to purchase this product?

What factors influenced or will influence your purchase? (check all that apply)

Vitamins Survey

Where did you or where do you plan to purchase this product?

Do you buy vitamins online or instore?

What factors are most important to you? (check all that apply)

This survey is being conducted by the WebMD marketing sciences department.Read More

Thanks for taking our survey!

Recommended For You

Vitamins and Minerals A-Z

More Resources for POLICOSANOL

Search for another Vitamin

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 2018.