Policosanol

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

  1. anxiety
  2. arthralgia
  3. diarrhea
  4. dizziness
  5. headache
  6. insomnia
  7. lethargy
  8. nausea
  9. polyuria
  10. pyrosis (heartburn)
  11. rash
  12. vomiting
  13. 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

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