Lorenzo's Oil: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Lorenzo's oil is a combination of two chemicals called erucic acid and oleic acid. It's named after Lorenzo Odone, who had adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD).

Two rare genetic disorders, ALD and adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN), can cause a large build-up of certain chemicals called very long-chain fatty acids. The build-up of these fatty acids is thought to cause serious problems in the brain and body. Lorenzo's oil might help prevent some of this build-up.

People commonly use Lorenzo's oil for ALD. It is also used for AMN and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

In the US, Lorenzo's oil is only available to patients participating in a clinical trial.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

An inherited disorder that affects the nervous system and adrenal glands (adrenoleukodystrophy or ALD). Lorenzo's oil might help prevent nervous system problems in children who have ALD, but haven't yet shown any symptoms. Lorenzo's oil doesn't seem to help children who already have symptoms of ALD.

Possibly Ineffective for

An inherited disorder that affects the spinal cord (adrenomyeloneuropathy or AMN). Lorenzo's oil doesn't seem to improve symptoms or slow disease progression in patients with AMN.

There is interest in using Lorenzo's oil for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Lorenzo's oil is possibly safe when used under the care of healthcare professionals for up to 2 years. Side effects might include bruising, bleeding, and low levels of neutrophils in the blood.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Lorenzo's oil is safe when used during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Lorenzo's oil is possibly safe when taken by mouth in children 2 months to 15 years of age for up to 13 years while under the care of healthcare professionals.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Lorenzo's Oil overview.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of Lorenzo's oil might be. 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 a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.

Kaplan PW, Tusa RJ, Shankroff J, et al. Visual evoked potentials in adrenoleukodystrophy: a trial with glycerol trioleate and Lorenzo oil. Ann Neurol 1993;34:169-74.

Poulos A, Gibson R, Sharp P, et al. Very long chain fatty acids in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy brain after treatment with Lorenzo's oil. Ann Neurol 1994;36:741-6.

Duchesne N, Dufour M, Bouchard G, et al. Adrenoleukodystrophy: magnetic resonance follow-up after Lorenzo's oil therapy. Can Assoc Radiol J 1995;46:386-91.

Moser HW. Clinical and therapeutic aspects of adrenoleukodystrophy and adrenomyeloneuropathy. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 1995;54:740-5.

Aubourg P, Adamsbaum C, Lavallard-Rousseau MC, et al. A two-year trial of oleic and erucic acids (Lorenzo's oil) as treatment for adrenomyeloneuropathy. N Engl J Med 1993;329:745-52.

Kickler TS, Zinkham WH, Moser A, et al. Effect of erucic acid on platelets in patients with adrenoleukodystrophy. Biochem Mol Med 1996;57:125-33.

Chai BC, Etches WS, Stewart MW, Siminoski K. Bleeding in a patient taking Lorenzo's oil: evidence for a vascular defect. Postgrad Med J 1996;72:113-4.

Revell P, Green A, Green S. Platelets in treated adrenoleukodystrophy: a brief report. J Inherit Metab Dis 1995;18:635-7.

Maeda K, Suzuki Y, Yajima S, et al. Improvement of clinical and MRI findings in a boy with adrenoleukodystrophy by dietary erucic acid therapy. Brain Dev 1992;14:409-12.

Wong V. Adrenoleukodystrophy in a Chinese boy. Brain Dev 1992;14:276-7.

Rasmussen M, Moser AB, Borel J, et al. Brain, liver, and adipose tissue erucic and very long chain fatty acid levels in adrenoleukodystrophy patients treated with glyceryl trierucate and trioleate oils (Lorenzo's oil). Neurochem Res 1994;19:1073-82.

DiGregorio VY, Schroeder DJ. Lorenzo's oil therapy of adrenoleukodystrophy. Ann Pharmacother 1995;29:312-3.

Moser HW, Raymond GV, Lu SE, et al. Follow-up of 89 asymptomatic patients with adrenoleukodystrophy treated with Lorenzo's Oil. Arch Neurol 2005;62:1073-80.

Majori M, Scarascia A, Anghinolfi M, et al. Lipoid pneumonia as a complication of Lorenzo's oil therapy in a patient with adrenoleukodystrophy. J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol 2014;21(3):271-3. doi: 10.1097/LBR.0000000000000084.

Cappa M, Bizzarri C, Petroni A, et al. A mixture of oleic, erucic and conjugated linoleic acids modulates cerebrospinal fluid inflammatory markers and improve somatosensorial evoked potential in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy female carriers. J Inherit Metab Dis 2012;35(5):899-907. doi: 10.1007/s10545-011-9432-3.

Deon M, Garcia MP, Sitta A, et al. Hexacosanoic and docosanoic acids plasma levels in patients with cerebral childhood and asymptomatic X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: Lorenzo's oil effect. Metab Brain Dis 2008;23(1):43-9.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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