lecithin

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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

Hepatic steatosis.
Alzheimer's dementia.
Hypercholesterolemia.
Tardive dyskinesia.
Mania.
Improving athletic performance.

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

Hypersensitivity.
Egg and soy allergy.

Use Cautiously in:

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

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

Derm: skin reactions (in soy and egg allergic patients)

GI: abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Natural-Drug Products:

None.

Natural-Natural Products:

None.

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Capsules: LiquidGranules

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

PO (Adults ): Hypercholesterolemia–20–30 g/day. Athletic performance–3.6 g twice daily. Tardive dyskinesia: 20–50 g/day. Mania: 10 mg three times daily.Dementia: 1.2–45 g/day.

US Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

egg lecithin, soy lecithin

Action ⬆ ⬇

Lecithin is a phospholipid found in egg yolks, organ meats, nuts, and spinach. It contains phosphatidylcholine, which contains choline which is a precursor to acetylcholine. Lecithin also increases omega-6 fatty acid levels.

Therapeutic effects:

Decreased cholesterol levels.
As a source of choline, lecithin may improve symptoms of cholinergic diseases.

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Therapeutic Classification: lipid-lowering agents, anti-Alzheimers's agents, performance enhancers

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: Unknown

Distribution: Unknown

Metabolism/Excretion: Unknown

Half-Life: Unknown

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO	unknown	unknown	unknown

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

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

Pronunciation ⬆

LES-uh-thin