General

Complementary/Alternative Medicine: This monograph describes a natural or herbal product that is not subject to FDA guidelines for medicines. Patients and clinicians are advised to read package labels carefully to ensure safe and efficacious use.

Pronunciation:
loo-tee-in

Trade Name(s)

• carotenoid
• xanthophyll
• zeaxanthin

Ther. Class.

antioxidants

ocular agents

Common Uses

• Prevention of lutein deficiency.
• Prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and retinitis pigmentosa.

Action

Lutein is a carotenoid with antioxidant properties that protect underlying ocular tissues from photodamage.

Therapeutic Effect(s):

Decreased risk of development of AMD and cataracts.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Unknown.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism and Excretion: Unknown.

Half-life: Unknown.

TIME/ACTION PROFILE

Contraindication/Precautions

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity.

Use Cautiously in:

Cystic fibrosis (decreased lutein absorption).

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

CV: DISEASE

Endo: carotendermia

* CAPITALS indicate life-threatening.
Underline indicate most frequent.

Interactions

Natural Drug Interaction

•  Orlistat may cause ↓ lutein absorption.
•  Alcohol  (↓ plasma lutein),  cholestyramine  and  colestipol  (↓ lutein absorption),  CYP450-metabolized agents  (alters enzyme activity),  mineral oil  (↓ lutein absorption),  nicotine  ↓ plasma lutein),  retinol  (↑ plasma lutein), may interact with agents with similar effects or related mechanisms of action ( antidiabetic,  antilipemic,  antioxidant,  antineoplastic ), ↓ vitamin E levels.

Natural-Natural:

Concomitant administration with  beta-carotene may reduce bioavailability of lutein.

Route/Dosage

PO (Adults): 6–20 mg/day.

Availability

Softgels: 6 mg, 20 mg

Assessment

• Obtain ophthalmic examinations at least yearly during therapy.

Potential Diagnoses

• Deficient knowledge, related to medication regimen (Patient/Family/Teaching) 

Implementation

• PO Administer capsules once daily.

Patient/Family Teaching

• Instruct patient to take as directed.
• Instruct patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and to consult with health care professional before taking other medications.
• Advise female patient to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

Decrease in risk or cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.