Overview

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.

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.

How does it work ?

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.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

  • 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.

Insufficient Evidence for

  • 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.

Side Effects

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 and Warnings

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.

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.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with Lentinan

    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) interacts with Lentinan

    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) interacts with Lentinan

    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) interacts with Lentinan

    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) interacts with Lentinan

    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) interacts with Lentinan

    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) interacts with Lentinan

    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 interacts with Lentinan

    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.

Dosing

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.
View References

You Might Also Like

HIV Prevention: Why Choose PrEP?
Protect Yourself: PrEP for Women
The Future of HIV Treatment: What’s New?
A Game-Changer for HIV Treatment
Show More Show Less

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.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2025 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.