LAHY-kuh-peen

Therapeutic Classification: cardioprotective agents, antineoplastics

Complementary/Alternative Medicine: This monograph describes a natural or herbal product that is not subject to FDA guidelines for medicines. Patients and clinicians are advised to read package labels carefully to ensure safe and efficacious use.

• Atherosclerosis prevention.
• Exercise-induced asthma.
• Cancer prevention.
• Oral leukoplakia.

• Lycopene is a predominant carotenoid in blood and tissues that has antioxidant properties. It scavenges free radicals and prevents oxidative damage to DNA. It may decrease cholesterol synthesis and remove LDL cholesterol from circulation. 85% of dietary lycopene comes from tomato-derived products.

• Atherosclerosis prevention.
• Cancer prevention.

Absorption: Unknown.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Unknown.

Half-life: Unknown.

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity.

Use Cautiously in:

• Pregnancy and lactation (when using amounts greater than those found in foods)

GI: diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence.

Natural-Drug Products:

• None.

Natural-Natural Products:

• Absorption may be increased with beta carotene.

• PO (Adults): Exercise-induced asthma — 30 mg/day; Prostate cancer — 15 mg twice daily;Oral leukoplakia — 4–8 mg/day.

• Softgels: 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg;

• Monitor for GI side effects (abdominal pain, flatus, diarrhea) periodically during therapy.

• Monitor lipid profile, serum androgen, and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) before and periodically during therapy.

• PO: Administer as directed.

• Instruct patient to take as directed.
• Advise female patient to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.

• Decrease in atherosclerosis and exercise — induced asthma.

all-trans lycopene, psi-psi-carotene

• Deficient knowledge, Relate med (Patient/Family Teaching).