Is Lentinan Polysaccharide Tablets a hormone?
Disease description:
My immune system is weak, and my doctor prescribed me Lentinan tablets. I am worried about possible side effects, so I would like to ask: are Lentinan tablets a type of hormone medication? What are the effects of taking them long-term on the body?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
In general, Lentinan tablets are not hormones.
The main component of Lentinan tablets is lentinan, an effective active substance extracted from the fruiting body of shiitake mushrooms. It has antiviral, antitumor, and immune-regulating properties. Unlike hormone medications, Lentinan tablets do not directly secrete into the bloodstream but instead exert their effects in the body after oral administration. Lentinan tablets also lack the pharmacological effects and side effects commonly associated with hormonal drugs, such as immune suppression, water and sodium retention, and osteoporosis. Therefore, Lentinan tablets are not considered hormones.
Lentinan tablets are primarily used in the treatment of various diseases caused by low immune function, such as liver protection therapy for chronic viral hepatitis and as an adjunctive treatment during cancer chemotherapy. They are suitable for individuals with weakened immunity and chronic fatigue syndrome and also have certain auxiliary therapeutic effects on conditions such as cancer and hepatitis.
In daily life, it is important to use all medications as directed by a physician, avoiding self-medication to ensure efficacy and safety.
