LORENZO'S OIL: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Lorenzo's oil is a combination of two chemicals called erucic acid and oleic acid. People use Lorenzo's oil as a medicine.

Lorenzo's oil is used to treat an inherited disorder that affects the nervous system and adrenal glands (adrenoleukodystrophy or ALD), and an inherited condition that affects the spinal cord (adrenomyeloneuropathy or AMN). ALD occurs in children, and AMN occurs in adults.

Lorenzo's oil is named after a child, Lorenzo Odone, who developed ALD. His parents discovered a mixture of fatty acids that seemed to slow progression of the disease. The mixture became known as "Lorenzo's oil."

In the US, Lorenzo's oil is only available to patients participating in a clinical trial.

How does it work ?

Two rare genetic disorders can cause a large build-up of certain chemicals called very long-chain fatty acids. The build-up of these fatty acids is thought to cause many serious problems throughout the brain and body. Lorenzo's oil might help prevent some of this build-up.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

An inherited disorder that affects the nervous system and adrenal glands (adrenoleukodystrophy or ALD). Lorenzo's oil might help prevent nervous system problems in children who have ALD, but haven't yet shown any symptoms. Lorenzo's oil probably does not help children who already have symptoms of ALD.

Possibly Ineffective for

An inherited disorder that affects the spinal cord (adrenomyeloneuropathy or AMN). Taking Lorenzo's oil does not seem to improve symptoms or slow the progression of disease in patients with AMN.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Lorenzo's oil is POSSIBLY SAFE when used under the care of healthcare professionals. Side effects of Lorenzo's oil can include bruising and bleeding.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Lorenzo's oil is POSSIBLY SAFE when used under the care of healthcare professionals. Side effects of Lorenzo's oil can include bruising and bleeding.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information about the safety of Lorenzo's oil when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Lorenzo's oil is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth by children who are under the care of healthcare professionals.

Blood disorders that cause a decrease in blood white cells needed to fight infections (neutropenia): Lorenzo's oil might make this condition worse.

Blood disorders that cause a decrease in blood platelets needed for clotting (thrombocytopenia): Lorenzo's oil might make this condition worse.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for LORENZO'S OIL overview.

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

For an inherited disorder that affects the nervous system and adrenal glands (adrenoleukodystrophy or ALD): Lorenzo's oil in a dose of 2-3 mL/kg has been used.

View References

REFERENCES:

Aubourg P, Adamsbaum C, Lavallard-Rousseau MC, et al. A two-year trial of oleic and erucic acids (Lorenzo's oil) as treatment for adrenomyeloneuropathy. N Engl J Med 1993;329:745-52. View abstract.

Cappa M, Bizzarri C, Petroni A, et al. A mixture of oleic, erucic and conjugated linoleic acids modulates cerebrospinal fluid inflammatory markers and improve somatosensorial evoked potential in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy female carriers. J Inherit Metab Dis 2012;35(5):899-907. doi: 10.1007/s10545-011-9432-3. View abstract.

Chai BC, Etches WS, Stewart MW, Siminoski K. Bleeding in a patient taking Lorenzo's oil: evidence for a vascular defect. Postgrad Med J 1996;72:113-4. View abstract.

Deon M, Garcia MP, Sitta A, et al. Hexacosanoic and docosanoic acids plasma levels in patients with cerebral childhood and asymptomatic X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: Lorenzo's oil effect. Metab Brain Dis 2008;23(1):43-9. View abstract.

DiGregorio VY, Schroeder DJ. Lorenzo's oil therapy of adrenoleukodystrophy. Ann Pharmacother 1995;29:312-3.

Duchesne N, Dufour M, Bouchard G, et al. Adrenoleukodystrophy: magnetic resonance follow-up after Lorenzo's oil therapy. Can Assoc Radiol J 1995;46:386-91. View abstract.

Kaplan PW, Tusa RJ, Shankroff J, et al. Visual evoked potentials in adrenoleukodystrophy: a trial with glycerol trioleate and Lorenzo oil. Ann Neurol 1993;34:169-74. View abstract.

Kickler TS, Zinkham WH, Moser A, et al. Effect of erucic acid on platelets in patients with adrenoleukodystrophy. Biochem Mol Med 1996;57:125-33. View abstract.

Maeda K, Suzuki Y, Yajima S, et al. Improvement of clinical and MRI findings in a boy with adrenoleukodystrophy by dietary erucic acid therapy. Brain Dev 1992;14:409-12. View abstract.

Majori M, Scarascia A, Anghinolfi M, et al. Lipoid pneumonia as a complication of Lorenzo's oil therapy in a patient with adrenoleukodystrophy. J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol 2014;21(3):271-3. doi: 10.1097/LBR.0000000000000084. View abstract.

Moser HW, Raymond GV, Lu SE, et al. Follow-up of 89 asymptomatic patients with adrenoleukodystrophy treated with Lorenzo's Oil. Arch Neurol 2005;62:1073-80. View abstract.

Moser HW. Clinical and therapeutic aspects of adrenoleukodystrophy and adrenomyeloneuropathy. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 1995;54:740-5. View abstract.

Poulos A, Gibson R, Sharp P, et al. Very long chain fatty acids in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy brain after treatment with Lorenzo's oil. Ann Neurol 1994;36:741-6. View abstract.

Rasmussen M, Moser AB, Borel J, et al. Brain, liver, and adipose tissue erucic and very long chain fatty acid levels in adrenoleukodystrophy patients treated with glyceryl trierucate and trioleate oils (Lorenzo's oil). Neurochem Res 1994;19:1073-82. View abstract.

Revell P, Green A, Green S. Platelets in treated adrenoleukodystrophy: a brief report. J Inherit Metab Dis 1995;18:635-7. View abstract.

Wong V. Adrenoleukodystrophy in a Chinese boy. Brain Dev 1992;14:276-7. 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.

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.

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LORENZO'S OIL - Uses, Side Effects, and More