Squalamine is a chemical. It can be found in the stomach and liver of the spiny dogfish shark. Squalamine can also be made in the laboratory.
People take squalamine as an antibiotic to fight bacterial infections.
Squalamine is applied to the scalp for a type of ringworm. It is also used as an eye drop for an eye disorder called retinal vein occlusion.
Squalamine is injected into the vein for cancer and for an eye disorder called age-related macular degeneration.
Don’t confuse squalamine with shark cartilage, which is prepared from the cartilage of spiny dogfish shark, hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), and other shark species. Also, don’t confuse squalamine with oil made from shark liver.
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.
- Age-related vision loss (age-related macular degeneration; AMD). Early research shows injecting squalamine in the vein might help people with AMD see better.
- Lung cancer. Early research shows that injecting squalamine in the vein along with certain cancer medications might reduce tumor size and help patients live slightly longer.
- Blocked veins in the eye (retinal vein occlusion). Early research shows that using squalamine eye drops might help people with blocked veins in the eye see better.
- Scalp ringworm. Early research shows that applying a lotion containing squalamine to the scalp does not cure scalp ringworm. But it might help the hair grow faster.
- Other types of cancer.
- Infections, when taken by mouth or applied to the skin.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of squalamine for these uses.
Is it Safe?
Squalamine is thought to prevent growth of bacteria that cause infections. It also seems to prevent the growth of new blood vessels that allow tumors to grow.
Squalamine is POSSIBLY SAFE in adults when used as eye drops for up to 38 weeks or when injected in the vein by a health care professional. Injections of squalamine into the vein might cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, or fatigue.
It is not known if taking squalamine by mouth is safe or what the possible side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of squalamine during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Squalamine is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin, short-term, in children 6-15 years old
It is not known if Squalamine interacts with any medicines. Before taking Squalamine, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
The appropriate dose of squalamine 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 squalamine. 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.
3-({3-[(4-Aminobutyl)amino]propyl}amino)-7-hydroxycholestan-24-yl Hydrogen Sulfate, Escualamina.
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