Socle Policosanol

What are the benefits of policosanol?
How does policosanol work?
Are there any side effects?
Are there any medication interactions?

What are the benefits of policosanol?
Socle Policosanol is a safe and effective way to lower cholesterol for patients who cannot take or are concerned about the potential side effects of prescription statin medications.  Taking policosanol 10-20 mg/day significantly decreases total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, the bad cholesterol), and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL, the good cholesterol). Policosanol has been shown to decrease LDL cholesterol by 10% to 30% and increase HDL cholesterol by 7% to 9% in clinical studies.  Policosanol 10 mg/day seems to be comparable to Lescol (fluvastatin) 20 mg/day and Zocor (simvastatin) 10 mg/day in cholesterol-lowering ability.

Socle Policosanol is derived from sugar cane, the kind proven to be beneficial in clinical studies. Policosanol from other plant sources is ineffective including a popular brand derived from wheat germ.  

Socle Policosanol also seems to significantly improve walking distance in patients with intermittent claudication.

How does policosanol work?
Policosanol is a mixture of waxy alcohols derived from a variety of natural plant sources.  Only sugar cane derived policosanol has the proven benefit of cholesterol lowering.  Policosanol seems to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting hepatic cholesterol synthesis and increasing the degradation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

Policosanol also decreases arachidonic acid and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Policosanol 20 mg per day reduces platelet aggregation about as much as aspirin 100 mg per day but it does not seem to significantly affect coagulation time.  This is what allows improvement in symptoms of intermittent claudication.

Are there any side effects?
Policosanol is usually well-tolerated.  In some patients it can cause erythema, migraines, insomnia, somnolence, irritability, dizziness, upset stomach, polyphagia, dysuria, weight loss, skin rash, and nose and gum bleeding.  There are no liver or kidney problems reported with policosanol use.

Are there any medication interactions?
Policosanol can inhibit platelet aggregation. Theoretically, taking policosanol with other antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. Some of these drugs include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, Warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Socle Policosanol is formulated based on the clinical studies that prove its benefit.  There are no unnecessary ingredients or additives.