Lentinan is a substance that comes from the shiitake mushroom.
Some medical professionals use lentinan to boost the effects of regular medicines used for treating cancer and HIV infection, and for other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Is It Effective?
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
- Build up of fluid and cancer cells in the space between the chest wall and lung (malignant pleural effusions). When given by a health care practitioner into the area around the lungs, lentinan might increase the effects of the drug cisplatin, which is commonly used to treat this condition.
- A lung disease that makes it harder to breathe (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD). Some patients with worsening COPD are given the medication budesonide and need to use a machine in the hospital to help with breathing. Taking lentinan might help these patients recover faster.
- Cancer of the esophagus. Early research suggests that lentinan may improve the way regular cancer drugs work in people with cancer of the esophagus.
- Stomach cancer. Early research suggests that lentinan may improve the way regular cancer drugs work in people with stomach cancer.
- HIV/AIDS infection. Early research suggests that lentinan may improve the way some HIV drugs work.
- Lung cancer. Early research suggests that lentinan may improve the way regular cancer drugs work in people with lung cancer.
- Prostate cancer. Early research suggests that lentinan may improve the way regular cancer drugs work in men with prostate cancer.
- Quality of life. Early research shows that taking lentinan might help to improve mood in some people.
- Other Conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of lentinan for these uses.
Is it Safe?
Lentinan might increase the effects of certain medications that fight viruses and cancer. It might also increase the activity of some of the body's defense (immune) cells.
When taken by mouth: Lentinan is POSSIBLY SAFE. It might cause stomach and intestinal discomfort and rash.
When given as a shot: Lentinan is POSSIBLY SAFE. It might cause rash, muscle pain, and tiredness.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lentinan is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Lentinan might increase how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking lentinan along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can decrease the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking lentinan, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), haloperidol (Haldol), ondansetron (Zofran), propranolol (Inderal), theophylline (Theo-Dur, others), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, others), and others.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Lentinan might increase how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking lentinan along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can decrease the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking lentinan, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and pantoprazole (Protonix); diazepam (Valium); carisoprodol (Soma); nelfinavir (Viracept); and others.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Lentinan might increase how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking lentinan along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can decrease the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking lentinan, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil) and amitriptyline (Elavil); antipsychotics such as haloperidol (Haldol), risperidone (Risperdal), and chlorpromazine (Thorazine); beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), and carvedilol (Coreg); tamoxifen (Nolvadex); and others.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Lentinan might increase how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking lentinan along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can decrease the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking lentinan, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.
Metoprolol (Toprol)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
The body breaks down metoprolol to get rid of it. Taking lentinan might decrease how quickly the body breaks down metoprolol. Taking metoprolol along with lentinan might increase side effects of metoprolol.
Midazolam (Versed)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
The body breaks down midazolam to get rid of it. Taking lentinan might decrease how quickly the body breaks down midazolam. Taking lentinan along with midazolam might increase the side effects of midazolam.
Omeprazole (Prilosec)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
The body breaks down omeprazole to get rid of it. Taking lentinan might decrease how quickly the body breaks down omeprazole. Taking omeprazole along with lentinan might increase side effects of omeprazole.
Phenacetin
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
The body breaks down phenacetin to get rid of it. Taking lentinan might decrease how quickly the body breaks down phenacetin. Taking phenacetin along with lentinan might increase side effects of phenacetin.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
The appropriate dose of lentinan depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for lentinan. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
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