Pantethine

Related Terms

Bile acid sequestrant, bis-pantethine, bis-pantothenamidoethyl disulfide, calcium 4'-phosphopantothenate (CaPP), calcium pantothenate (CaP), carnitine, coenzyme A, coenzyme pantethine, cyproheptadine, cysteamine, D-bis-(N-Pantothenyl-B-aminoethyl)-disulfide, D-pantethine, pantetheine, pantetheinase, Pantetina, panthenol, pantomin, pantosin, pantothenic acid, sulfopantetheine, thiol pantethine, vitamin B5.

Background

Pantethine is the active form of pantothenic acid and becomes coenzyme A in the body.
Some sources say that supplemental pantethine may not be stable and may need to be refrigerated, which is why vitamin B5 supplements are usually taken as calcium pantothenate.
Pantethine has been used to lower cholesterol and heart disease risk, as well as improve gland function and energy. However, more research is needed.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Many studies have looked at the effects of taking pantethine by mouth on cholesterol levels. There is evidence that pantethine may reduce levels of total cholesterol and fatty acids. However, more high-quality research is needed.

 B


Many studies have looked at the effects of taking pantethine by mouth on cholesterol levels. There is evidence that pantethine may reduce levels of total cholesterol and fatty acids. However, more high-quality research is needed.

 B


Early studies suggest that a combination product containing pantethine may not be helpful in athletic performance. More research is needed before further conclusions can be made.

 C


Early studies suggest that a combination product containing pantethine may not be helpful in athletic performance. More research is needed before further conclusions can be made.

 C


Early studies suggest that a combination of pantethine and magnesium oxide is often prescribed as a laxative for people who have constipation caused by taking some medications. Further study is needed to understand the effect of pantethine alone.

 C


Early studies suggest that a combination of pantethine and magnesium oxide is often prescribed as a laxative for people who have constipation caused by taking some medications. Further study is needed to understand the effect of pantethine alone.

 C


Pantethine has been studied for use in cystinosis, a disease caused by amino acid buildup. However, evidence is still lacking and more research is needed.

 C


Pantethine has been studied for use in cystinosis, a disease caused by amino acid buildup. However, evidence is still lacking and more research is needed.

 C


Early studies suggest that pantethine may reduce symptoms of fatty liver. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early studies suggest that pantethine may reduce symptoms of fatty liver. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


The effect of pantethine on heart disease has been studied. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


The effect of pantethine on heart disease has been studied. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
To lower cholesterol, up to 1,200 milligrams of pantethine has been taken by mouth daily for up to one year. The average dose taken by mouth is generally 300 milligrams three times daily or 900 milligrams daily. A dose of 400 milligrams of pantethine has been injected into the muscles daily for 20 days.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Pantethine may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Pantethine may also interact with agents that may affect the nervous system, agents that may increase urination, agents that may treat eye disorders, agents that may treat heart disorders, agents that may treat stomach disorders, alcohol, anti-parasitics, cholesterol-lowering agents, hormonal agents, and laxatives.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Babizhayev, MA. New concept in nutrition for the maintenance of the aging eye redox regulation and therapeutic treatment of cataract disease; synergism of natural antioxidant imidazole-containing amino acid-based compounds, chaperone, and glutathione boosting agents: a systemic perspective on aging and longevity emerged from studies in humans. Am.J.Ther. 2010;17(4):373-389.
Harding, JJ. Can drugs or micronutrients prevent cataract? Drugs Aging 2001;18(7):473-486.
Head, KA. Natural therapies for ocular disorders, part two: cataracts and glaucoma. Altern.Med.Rev. 2001;6(2):141-166.
Horvath, Z and Vecsei, L. Current medical aspects of pantethine. Ideggyogy.Sz 7-30-2009;62(7-8):220-229.
Houston, M. The role of nutraceutical supplements in the treatment of dyslipidemia. J.Clin.Hypertens.(Greenwich.) 2012;14(2):121-132.
Ishihara, M, Iihara, H, Okayasu, S, et al. Pharmaceutical interventions facilitate premedication and prevent opioid-induced constipation and emesis in cancer patients. Support.Care Cancer 2010;18(12):1531-1538.
McCarty, MF. Hepatothermic therapy of obesity: rationale and an inventory of resources. Med.Hypotheses 2001;57(3):324-336.
McCarty, MF. Inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase by cystamine may mediate the hypotriglyceridemic activity of pantethine. Med.Hypotheses 2001;56(3):314-317.
McRae MP. Treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia with pantethine: A review and analysis of efficacy and tolerability. Nutrition Res 2005;25:319-333.
Min-Oo, G, Ayi, K, Bongfen, SE., et al. Cysteamine, the natural metabolite of pantetheinase, shows specific activity against Plasmodium. Exp.Parasitol. 2010;125(4):315-324.
Osono, Y, Hirose, N, Nakajima, K, et al. The effects of pantethine on fatty liver and fat distribution. J.Atheroscler.Thromb. 2000;7(1):55-58.
Penet, MF, Abou-Hamdan, M, Coltel, N, et al. Protection against cerebral malaria by the low-molecular-weight thiol pantethine. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.U.S.A 1-29-2008;105(4):1321-1326.
Pins, JJ and Keenan, JM. Dietary and nutraceutical options for managing the hypertriglyceridemic patient. Prog.Cardiovasc.Nurs. 2006;21(2):89-93.
Rumberger, JA, Napolitano, J, Azumano, I, et al. Pantethine, a derivative of vitamin B(5) used as a nutritional supplement, favorably alters low-density lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism in low- to moderate-cardiovascular risk North American subjects: a triple-blinded placebo and diet-controlled investigation. Nutr.Res. 2011;31(8):608-615.
Tsai, SJ. Cysteamine-related agents could be potential antidepressants through increasing central BDNF levels. Med.Hypotheses 2006;67(5):1185-1188.