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Octacosanol

Last Editorial Review: 6/11/2021
Other Name(s):

1-Octacosanol, Hexacosanol (26-C), N-octacosanol, Octacosyl Alcohol, Tetracosanol (24-C), Tétracosanol (24-C), Triacontanol (30-C).

Overview

Octacosanol is a chemical found in a variety of plants, including sugar cane and wheat germ oil. It is chemically similar to vitamin E.

Octacosanol is used to improve exercise performance including strength, stamina, and reaction time. It is also used for herpes infections, skin diseases, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease), high cholesterol, and “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis).

Be careful not to confuse octacosanol with policosanol.

How does it work?

Octacosanol might help improve the way our body uses oxygen.

SLIDESHOW

Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See Slideshow

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease). Early research suggests that octacosanol does not improve symptoms of ALS.
  • Parkinson's disease. Developing research suggests that octacosanol might improve symptoms in some people with Parkinson's disease.
  • Improving athletic performance including strength, stamina, and reaction time.
  • Herpes infections.
  • Skin diseases.
  • High cholesterol.
  • “Hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis).
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of octacosanol for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Side Effects

There is not enough information to know if octacosanol is safe.

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of octacosanol during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Parkinson's disease: Octacosanol might make some symptoms of Parkinson's disease worse if it is used with the Parkinson's disease medication levodopa/carbidopa. Don't use this combination.

Interactions

Levodopa/Carbidopa (Sinemet)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) is used for Parkinson's disease. Taking octacosanol along with levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) might make Parkinson's disease symptoms worse. Do not take octacosanol if you are taking levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet).

Dosing

The appropriate dose of octacosanol depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for octacosanol. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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References

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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., Molina, V., Carbajal, D., Valdes, S., and Mas, R. Effect of policosanol on cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils: role of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2. Prostaglandins Leukot.Essent.Fatty Acids 1993;49(3):695-697. 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.

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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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