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Dietary supplement

Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson

Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for physical performance and endurance, cholesterol support, parkinson's and movement concerns.Based on those ingredients, 248 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Octacosanol. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength by Swanson

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength by Swanson — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength by Swanson

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Aug 27, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This supplement contains one active ingredient: octacosanol 20 mg per capsule. Octacosanol is a waxy compound found in plants and seeds.

The capsule itself is made from gelatin and contains rice flour and calcium laurate as inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Insufficient evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Insufficient

There isn't enough reliable clinical evidence to rate this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Cardiovascular health and physical performance.
  • We looked for evidence on: Hyperlipidemia, Athletic performance, Cholesterol management, Endurance.
  • The closest evidence on file: Octacosanol is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Athletic performance (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Octacosanol is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Hyperlipidemia.

The evidence for octacosanol isn't established in the data we hold. Studies have looked at it for high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), athletic performance, Parkinson disease, and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig's disease), but the available research is rated as insufficient to say whether it actually works for any of these purposes.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Octacosanol

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Octacosanol is generally well tolerated in the amounts studied, but long-term safety data are limited, so we don't know much about how safe it is over years of use. Side effects from the related compound policosanol—headache, dizziness, drowsiness, irritability, insomnia, itching, or skin rash—are reported as uncommon, though it's unclear whether octacosanol alone causes them.

There isn't enough safety information to recommend this supplement during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you're pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this is right for you.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Octacosanol

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Octacosanol.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications; Parkinson's medications.
  • For scale: 248 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on any blood pressure medications (especially beta-blockers like propranolol), blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin or aspirin), diabetes medications, levodopa/carbidopa for Parkinson disease, or nitroprusside. All of these carry a moderate risk of interaction with octacosanol.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with insufficient evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Octacosanol is a single-ingredient supplement that's generally well tolerated but has limited long-term safety data. If you take blood pressure medications, blood thinners, diabetes drugs, or Parkinson treatments, this product could interfere with how those work—check with your own doctor or pharmacist before starting it.

The evidence for what octacosanol actually does isn't solid enough to say whether it'll help you.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Mar 22, 2024.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614023885
Net contents 30 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 22, 2024
DSLD ID 308667
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength by Swanson, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
087614023885
IngredientAmount% DV
Octacosanol20 mg--

Other ingredients: Rice Flour, Gelatin, Calcium Laurate

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule per day with food and water.

Precautions

Warning: For adults only. Keep out of reach of children.

Do not take this product if you are pregnant or nursing. Consult your healthcare provider before using this or any product if you are taking medication or have a

Do not use if seal is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Formulation

Cardiovascular health Maximum strength

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formula

Octacosanol 20 mg per capsule

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength by Swanson label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength by Swanson

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Octacosanol

Interacts with
248 drugs
20 mg per serving

Octacosanol is a waxy long-chain alcohol from plant sources that is most often promoted for exercise endurance and cholesterol support, but solid huma...

Octacosanol monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Rice Flour, Gelatin, Calcium Laurate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength by Swanson Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
248Drugs
248 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Octacosanol 248

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength interact with 248 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Octacosanol

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Octacosanol7 drug types · 248 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, octacosanol might inhibit platelet aggregation; however, clinical research suggests that this effect may not be clinically significant.
Octacosanol is the main component of policosanol. Some clinical research shows that taking policosanol 10-50 mg daily for 7-15 days can inhibit platelet aggregation in healthy patients. However, one clinical trial shows that taking policosanol 10 mg twice daily for 2 weeks prior to initiating warfarin does not affect warfarin pharmacokinetics or warfarin response. Furthermore, a study in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with a drug-eluting stent found that taking policosanol 40 mg plus clopidogrel and aspirin daily for 30 days modestly reduced the risk for minor bleeding events when compared with taking clopidogrel and aspirin alone.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, octacosanol might have additive effects when used in combination with antidiabetes drugs.
Octacosanol is the main component of policosanol. In humans, policosanol can decrease blood glucose. It is not clear if these effects occur with the use of octacosanol.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Beta-Blockers

Theoretically, concomitant use of octacosanol with beta-blockers might result in additive hypotensive effects.
Octacosanol is the main component of policosanol. Clinical research shows that policosanol 5 mg daily can have additive blood pressure-lowering effects in patients with hypertension who are taking beta-blockers. Also, animal research shows that policosanol can increase the hypotensive effects of propranolol. It is not clear if these effects occur with the use of octacosanol.

Likelihood Probable Evidence A
Levodopa/Carbidopa (Sinemet)

Concomitant use may worsen symptoms of Parkinson disease.
One small clinical study suggests that octacosanol might worsen dyskinesias and increase nervous tension in some patients being treated with levodopa/carbidopa.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Nitroprusside (Nitropress)

Theoretically, octacosanol might enhance the hypotensive effects of nitroprusside.
Octacosanol is the main component of policosanol. Animal research shows that taking policosanol along with nitroprusside can increase the hypotensive effects of nitroprusside. It is not clear if these effects occur with the use of octacosanol.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Propranolol (Inderal)

Theoretically, octacosanol might enhance the hypotensive effects of propranolol.
Octacosanol is the main component of policosanol. Animal research shows that taking policosanol along with propranolol can increase the blood pressure-lowering effects of propranolol. It is not clear if these effects occur with the use of octacosanol.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, octacosanol might inhibit platelet aggregation; however, clinical research suggests that this effect may not be clinically significant.
Octacosanol is the main component of policosanol. Some clinical research shows that taking policosanol 10-50 mg daily for 7-15 days can inhibit platelet aggregation in healthy patients. Therefore, there is concern that taking policosanol with warfarin might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. However, one clinical trial shows that taking policosanol 10 mg twice daily for 2 weeks prior to warfarin dosing does not affect warfarin pharmacokinetics or warfarin response. It is not clear if these effects occur with the use of octacosanol.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Octacosanol full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength, from the product label.

Swanson

See all Swanson products
Name
Swanson Health Products
City
Fargo
State
ND
ZipCode
58104
Phone Number
1-800-437-4148
Web Address
swanson.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength by Swanson: Common Questions

Does Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength by Swanson interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength has a known interaction with 248 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is octacosanol safe to take long-term?
The short answer: we don't have enough long-term safety data to know. In the studies we have, octacosanol appears generally well tolerated, but nobody's tracked it carefully over years. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you're thinking about taking it regularly for months or longer.
What are the side effects I should watch for?
Side effects are uncommon, but they can include headache, dizziness, drowsiness, irritability, insomnia, itching, or skin rash. It's unclear whether octacosanol itself causes these or whether they come from related compounds studied alongside it.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data aren't there either way. The facts we hold advise against using it during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your individual situation before taking it.
Does octacosanol actually work for high cholesterol or athletic performance?
The evidence isn't established. Studies have looked at it for high cholesterol, athletic performance, Parkinson disease, and ALS, but none of them have enough reliable evidence to say it works. More research would be needed.
What exactly is octacosanol?
Octacosanol is a waxy compound found naturally in plants and seeds. It's the main active ingredient in a supplement called policosanol that's been studied more widely in research.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Octacosanol

Interacts with 248 drugs

Octacosanol is a waxy long-chain alcohol from plant sources that is most often promoted for exercise endurance and cholesterol support, but solid human evidence is limited and results are mi...

Read the full Octacosanol monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Octacosanol 20 mg Maximum Strength's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 16 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Octacosanol 16 references
  1. Carbajal D, Arruzazabala ML, Valdes S, Mas R. Effect of policosanol on platelet aggregation and serum levels of arachidonic acid metabolites in healthy volunteers. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1998;58:61-4.
  2. Arruzazabala ML, Valdes S, Mas R, et al. Comparative study of policosanol, aspirin and the combination therapy policosanol-aspirin on platelet aggregation in healthy volunteers. Pharmacol Res 1997;36:293-7. PubMed
  3. Valdes S, Arruzazabala ML, Fernandez L. Effect of policosanol on platelet aggregation in healthy volunteers. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1996;16:67-72.
  4. Snider S. Octacosanol in parkinsonism. Ann Neurol 1984;16:723. PubMed
  5. Greyling A, De Witt C, Oosthuizen W, Jerling JC. Effects of a policosanol supplement on serum lipid concentrations in hypercholesterolaemic and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects. Br J Nutr 2006;95:968-75. PubMed
  6. Abdul MI, Jiang X, Williams KM, et al. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of echinacea and policosanol with warfarin in healthy subjects. Br J Clin.Pharmacol. 2010;69:508-15. PubMed
  7. Molina, Cuevas, V, Arruzazabala, M. L., Carbajal, Quintana D., Mas, Ferreiro R., and Valdes, Garcia S. Effect of policosanol on arterial blood pressure in rats. Study of the pharmacological interaction with nifedipine and propranolol. Arch Med Res 1998;29
  8. Menendez, R., Mas, R., Amor, A. M., Gonzalez, R. M., Fernandez, J. C., Rodeiro, I., Zayas, M., and Jimenez, S. Effects of policosanol treatment on the susceptibility of low density lipoprotein (LDL) isolated from healthy volunteers to oxidative modificat
  9. Castano G, Fernandez L, Mas R, et al. Comparison of the efficacy, safety and tolerability of original policosanol versus other mixtures of higher aliphatic primary alcohols in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia. Int.J.Clin.Pharmacol.Res. 2002;22:5
  10. Arruzazabala, M. L., Carbajal, D., Mas, R., Valdes, S., and Molina, V. Pharmacological Interaction Between Policosanol and Nitroprusside in Rats. J Med Food 2001;4(2):67-70. PubMed
  11. Castano G, Mas R, Gamez R, et al. Concomitant use of policosanol and beta-blockers in older patients. Int J Clin Pharmacol.Res 2004;24:65-77.
  12. Francini-Pesenti F, Brocadello F, Beltramolli D, et al. Sugar cane policosanol failed to lower plasma cholesterol in primitive, diet-resistant hypercholesterolaemia: A double blind, controlled study. Complement Ther Med 2008;16:61-65. PubMed
  13. Castaño G, Fernández L, Mas R, Illnait J, Mesa M, Fernández JC. Comparison of the effects of policosanol and atorvastatin on lipid profile and platelet aggregation in patients with dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clin Drug Investig. 2003;23(10 PubMed
  14. Wang HY, Jiao QP, Chen SY, et al. Efficacy and safety of policosanol plus fenofibrate combination therapy in elderly patients with mixed dyslipidemia: A randomized, controlled clinical study. Am J Med Sci. 2018;356(3):254-261. PubMed
  15. Xu K, Liu X, Li Y, Wang Y, Zang H, Guo L, et al. Safety and efficacy of policosanol in patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity after drug-eluting stent implantation: two-year follow-up results. Cardiovasc Ther. 2016 Oct;34(5):337-42. doi: 10.1 PubMed
  16. Li C, Ding Y, Si Q, Li K, Xu K. Multiple functions of policosanol in elderly patients with dyslipidemia. J Int Med Res. 2020;48(7):300060520936082. PubMed

See these in context on the Octacosanol monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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