lecithin
General
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.
Pronunciation:
les-uh-thin
Trade Name(s)
- egg lecithin
- soy lecithin
Ther. Class.
lipid-lowering agents
anti-Alzheimers's agents
performance enhancers
Common Uses
- Hepatic steatosis.
- Alzheimer's dementia.
- Hypercholesterolemia.
- Tardive dyskinesia.
- Mania.
- Improving athletic performance.
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 Effect(s):
- Decreased cholesterol levels.
- As a source of choline, lecithin may improve symptoms of cholinergic diseases.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: Unknown
Distribution: Unknown
Metabolism and Excretion: Unknown
Half-life: Unknown
TIME/ACTION PROFILE
ONSET | PEAK | DURATION | |
---|---|---|---|
PO | unknown | unknown | unknown |
Contraindication/Precautions
Contraindicated in:
- Hypersensitivity.
- Egg and soy allergy.
Use Cautiously in:
Pregnancy and lactation (when using amounts greater than found in foods).
Adverse Reactions/Side Effects
Derm: skin reactions (in soy and egg allergic patients)
GI: abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea
* CAPITALS indicate life-threatening.
Underline indicate most frequent.
Interactions
Natural Drug Interaction
None.
Natural-Natural:
None.
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.
Availability
Capsules
Liquid
Granules
Assessment
- Assess mental status and memory periodically during therapy.
Lab Test Considerations:
Monitor liver function tests prior to and periodically during therapy.
Implementation
- PO Administer 1 to 3 times daily.
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.
Evaluation/Desired Outcomes
- Decrease in serum cholesterol.
- Improvement in signs and symptoms of cholinergic diseases.