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What is Policosanol
Policosanol is a natural mixture of higher molecular weight aliphatic primary alcohols. In the U.S., policosanol is sold as a non-prescription dietary supplement; it is currently not classified as a drug by the FDA.
Commercially available products in the U.S. are derived from either sugar cane wax (Policosanol Advantage™, Lesstanol™), vegetables (Cholesanol™), or bees wax (Cholestin™). Clinical trials to date have mainly used policosanol isolated and purified from sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) wax.
The main component is octacosanol (66%), followed by triacontanol (12%), and hexacosanol (7%). The other 15% of essential alcohols are dotriacontanol, eicosanol, tetracosanol, nonacosanol, tetratriacontanol, and heptacosanol.
Some products marketed in the U.S. combine policosanol with coenzyme Q10, B complex vitamins, or folic acid.
The effects of products with other ingredients or a different composition of primary alcohols have not been fully investigated.
Indications
- hypercholesterolemia
For the treatment of diabetes-associated dyslipidemia or Type II hypercholesterolemia†
NOTE: Data on the effect of policosanol on lipoprotein concentrations are conflicting; further investigation is needed to clarify the effect, if any exists.
NOTE: Any improvements in the lipid profile may be dose-dependent. The impact of the dose may be assessed 2 to 3 months after initiation.
NOTE: The daily dose may be given once or divided into two daily doses. No comparative data of dosing frequency are available.
Side Effects
- anxiety
- arthralgia
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- headache
- insomnia
- lethargy
- nausea
- polyuria
- pyrosis (heartburn)
- rash
- vomiting
- weight loss
Monitoring Parameters
- bleeding time
- CBC
- serum lipid profile
Contraindications
- agranulocytosis
- alcoholism
- anticoagulant therapy
- bone marrow suppression
- breast-feeding
- coagulopathy
- GI bleeding
- hemophilia
- intramuscular injections
- pregnancy
- surgery
- thrombocytopenia
- thrombolytic therapy
- thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
Interactions
No information is available regarding drug interactions associated with Policosanol