OCTACOSANOL: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Octacosanol is a chemical found in some plants, including sugar cane and wheat germ oil. It makes up 67% of another similar chemical called policosanol.

Octacosanol might help to reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol and increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good") cholesterol. Octacosanol might also improve the health of fat cells.

People use octacosanol for athletic performance, Parkinson disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease), high cholesterol, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse octacosanol with policosanol. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for OCTACOSANOL overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Octacosanol is possibly safe when used for up to 13 weeks.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Octacosanol is possibly safe when used for up to 13 weeks.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if octacosanol is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Bleeding disorders: Octacosanol might slow blood clotting and increase the chance of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

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

Surgery: Octacosanol might slow blood clotting and reduce blood sugar levels. It might increase the risk of bleeding or very low blood sugar levels during and after surgery. Stop using octacosanol at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Levodopa/Carbidopa (Sinemet) interacts with OCTACOSANOL
Levodopa/carbidopa is used for Parkinson disease. Taking octacosanol along with levodopa/carbidopa might make Parkinson disease symptoms worse. Do not take octacosanol if you are taking levodopa/carbidopa.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with OCTACOSANOL
Octacosanol might lower blood sugar levels. Taking octacosanol along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications for high blood pressure (Beta-blockers) interacts with OCTACOSANOL
Octacosanol might lower blood pressure. Taking octacosanol along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with OCTACOSANOL
Octacosanol might slow blood clotting. Taking octacosanol along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Nitroprusside (Nitropress) interacts with OCTACOSANOL
Octacosanol might increase the blood pressure lowering effects of nitroprusside.
Propranolol (Inderal) interacts with OCTACOSANOL
Octacosanol might increase the blood pressure lowering effects of propranolol.
Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with OCTACOSANOL
Octacosanol might slow blood clotting. Warfarin also slows blood clotting. Taking octacosanol along with warfarin might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. But it's not clear if this is a big concern. Until more is known, do not take too much octacosanol if you are also taking warfarin.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of octacosanol might be. 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 a healthcare professional before using.

View References

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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.

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OCTACOSANOL - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

Uses & Effectiveness

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Levodopa/Carbidopa (Sinemet) interacts with OCTACOSANOL

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with OCTACOSANOL

Medications for high blood pressure (Beta-blockers) interacts with OCTACOSANOL

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with OCTACOSANOL

Nitroprusside (Nitropress) interacts with OCTACOSANOL

Propranolol (Inderal) interacts with OCTACOSANOL

Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with OCTACOSANOL

Dosing