Policosanol
Scientific names: Policosanol
Alternate names: 32C, Dotriacontanol, Heptacosanol, Hexacosanol, Nonacosanol, Octacosanol, Tetracosanol, Tétracosanol, Tetratriacontanol, Tétratriacontanol, Triacontanol
Actions: Antiplatelet, Cholesterol-lowering
Background
Policosanol is a natural mixture of long-chain alcohols that comes from sugar cane wax or beeswax. It can also be found in wheat or rice.
Policosanol seems to decrease cholesterol production in the liver and to increase the breakdown of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol. It also decreases the stickiness of cells in the blood known as platelets.
People use policosanol for leg pain during exercise due to poor blood flow. It is also used for high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse policosanol with octacosanol. These are not the same.
Policosanol seems to decrease cholesterol production in the liver and to increase the breakdown of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol. It also decreases the stickiness of cells in the blood known as platelets.
People use policosanol for leg pain during exercise due to poor blood flow. It is also used for high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse policosanol with octacosanol. These are not the same.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Policosanol is likely safe when used in doses of 5-80 mg daily for up to 3 years. It's usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include headache, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, upset stomach, skin redness, or weight loss.
Bleeding disorders: Policosanol might slow blood clotting and increase the chance of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
Surgery: Policosanol might slow blood clotting and reduce blood sugar levels. This might increase the risk of bleeding and interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using policosanol at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if policosanol is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Bleeding disorders: Policosanol might slow blood clotting and increase the chance of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
Surgery: Policosanol might slow blood clotting and reduce blood sugar levels. This might increase the risk of bleeding and interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using policosanol at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Likely effective Effectiveness definitions
- Leg pain during exercise due to poor blood flow (intermittent claudication). Taking policosanol by mouth seems to improve the distance people with intermittent claudication can walk.
Dosing & administration
Policosanol has most often been used by adults in doses of 5-20 mg by mouth daily for up to 3 years. Higher doses of 40-80 mg daily have been used for up to 24 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Policosanol might lower blood sugar levels. Taking policosanol along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications for high blood pressure (Beta-blockers)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Beta-blockers are used to lower blood pressure. Policosanol might also lower blood pressure. Taking policosanol 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)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Policosanol might slow blood clotting. Taking policosanol along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Nitroprusside (Nitropress)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Policosanol might increase the blood pressure lowering effects of nitroprusside. This might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Policosanol might slow blood clotting. Warfarin also slows blood clotting. Taking policosanol along with warfarin might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. But it's not clear if this is a big concern.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Policosanol might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Policosanol might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Policosanol might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 18/09/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 07/11/2020 03:15:03. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
