Squalamine
Scientific names: Squalamine
Alternate names: 3-({3-[(4-Aminobutyl)amino]propyl}amino)-7-hydroxycholestan-24-yl Hydrogen Sulfate, Escualamina
Actions: Anti-angiogenesis, Anticancer, Antimicrobial
Background
Squalamine is a chemical. It can be found in the stomach and liver of the spiny dogfish shark. Squalamine can also be made in the laboratory.
People take squalamine as an antibiotic to fight bacterial infections.
Squalamine is applied to the scalp for a type of ringworm. It is also used as an eye drop for an eye disorder called retinal vein occlusion.
Squalamine is injected into the vein for cancer and for an eye disorder called age-related macular degeneration.
Don’t confuse squalamine with shark cartilage, which is prepared from the cartilage of spiny dogfish shark, hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), and other shark species. Also, don’t confuse squalamine with oil made from shark liver.
People take squalamine as an antibiotic to fight bacterial infections.
Squalamine is applied to the scalp for a type of ringworm. It is also used as an eye drop for an eye disorder called retinal vein occlusion.
Squalamine is injected into the vein for cancer and for an eye disorder called age-related macular degeneration.
Don’t confuse squalamine with shark cartilage, which is prepared from the cartilage of spiny dogfish shark, hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), and other shark species. Also, don’t confuse squalamine with oil made from shark liver.
Safety Safety definitions
Squalamine is POSSIBLY SAFE in adults when used as eye drops for up to 38 weeks or when injected in the vein by a health care professional. Injections of squalamine into the vein might cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, or fatigue.
It is not known if taking squalamine by mouth is safe or what the possible side effects might be.
Children: Squalamine is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin, short-term, in children 6-15 years old
It is not known if taking squalamine by mouth is safe or what the possible side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of squalamine during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Children: Squalamine is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin, short-term, in children 6-15 years old
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.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Age-related vision loss (age-related macular degeneration; AMD). Early research shows injecting squalamine in the vein might help people with AMD see better.
- Lung cancer. Early research shows that injecting squalamine in the vein along with certain cancer medications might reduce tumor size and help patients live slightly longer.
- Blocked veins in the eye (retinal vein occlusion). Early research shows that using squalamine eye drops might help people with blocked veins in the eye see better.
- Scalp ringworm. Early research shows that applying a lotion containing squalamine to the scalp does not cure scalp ringworm. But it might help the hair grow faster.
- Other types of cancer.
- Infections, when taken by mouth or applied to the skin.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of squalamine 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 squalamine. 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.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Squalamine interacts with any medicines. Before taking Squalamine, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Squalamine is thought to prevent growth of bacteria that cause infections. It also seems to prevent the growth of new blood vessels that allow tumors to grow.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 29/06/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 15/06/2018 20:08:12. 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.
