lycopene

section name header

Pronunciation ⬇

LAHY-kuh-peen

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Therapeutic Classification: antioxidants, cardioprotective agents, antineoplastics

Indications ⬆ ⬇

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.

REMS

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

Action ⬆ ⬇

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.

Therapeutic effects:

Atherosclerosis prevention.
Cancer prevention.

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: Unknown

Distribution: Unknown

Metabolism/Excretion: Unknown

Half-Life: Unknown

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO	unknown	unknown	unknown

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

Hypersensitivity.

Use Cautiously in:

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

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

GI: abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Natural-Drug Products:

None.

Natural-Natural Products:

Absorption may be increased with beta carotene.

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

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

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Softgels: 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg

Assessment ⬆ ⬇

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

Lab Test Considerations:

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

Implementation ⬆ ⬇

PO: Administer as directed.

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

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

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes ⬆ ⬇

Decrease in atherosclerosis and exercise—induced asthma.

US Brand Names ⬆

all-trans lycopene, psi-psi-carotene