Overview

Lycopene is a nutrient found in tomatoes and other reddish-colored fruits. It is available over the counter as a supplement and seems to be well tolerated. Lycopene is commonly used for prostate health, heart health, and to lower blood sugar levels, but its benefits for any use are not well defined. Before using lycopene, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are using.

Uses

What is lycopene used for?

Lycopene is commonly used for various reasons, although its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons that people use lycopene include the following.

• Heart health
• Prostate health
• To lower blood sugar levels

Note: The FDA has not reviewed lycopene for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does lycopene work (mechanism of action)?

Lycopene is a type of nutrient known as a carotenoid. It has a bright red color and is found in various fruits, including tomatoes, grapefruits, apricots, watermelons, and papayas. Dietary supplements that contain lycopene are usually made from tomatoes, although some supplements contain lycopene that is made in a lab (synthetic).

Lycopene is an antioxidant that has become popular for preventing and treating prostate problems, such as an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer. Although there has been quite a bit of research on the use of lycopene for prostate health, its benefits are still not well defined. Research is mixed, with some studies showing that it may reduce the risk of these conditions and other studies showing no effect. It is also unclear whether eating large amounts of tomatoes or tomato-based products can have any benefit on prostate health.

Although there is interest in using lycopene for other reasons, the research for these uses is also mixed. Some studies on the use of lycopene for heart health or blood sugar show that it may be helpful, but other studies show no benefit. The benefits of lycopene for these uses remain poorly understood.

How should I store lycopene?

You should store lycopene according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of lycopene?

Lycopene seems to be well tolerated. But there is not enough research to know what the common side effects may be. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

There may be side effects of lycopene that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of lycopene?

While less common, the most serious side effects of lycopene are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Lycopene may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking lycopene and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Precautions

Who should not use lycopene?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take lycopene.

• All-trans lycopene
• Lycopene
• Psi-carotene
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific lycopene products they stock.

What should I know about lycopene before using it?

Lycopene is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep lycopene out of the reach of children.

Taking large amounts of lycopene regularly for a long time can cause your skin to turn yellow-orange (carotenoderma). This change in skin color is not harmful and should go away if you reduce the amount of lycopene in your diet and the supplements you are taking.

Lycopene is a type of carotenoid. Some carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, are known as provitamin A carotenoids because your body can turn them into vitamin A. But your body does not turn lycopene into vitamin A, and lycopene does not help to increase your vitamin A levels.

The FDA has not tested lycopene products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using lycopene?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if lycopene is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Tomato Allergy.Many lycopene supplements are made from tomatoes. If you are allergic to tomatoes, you may also have an allergy to products made from tomatoes. But you should be able to take lycopene supplements that are made in a lab or from other sources. Read the label carefully and talk to your health care provider before taking tomato-based lycopene products if you have a tomato allergy.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Prostate problems

Other Medicines and Supplements.Lycopene may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking lycopene, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how lycopene could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Lycopene passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does lycopene interact with foods or drinks?

You should take lycopene with food or a meal that has fat in it. Lycopene is fat-soluble, which means that taking it with fat helps your body absorb it.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect lycopene.

Does lycopene interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using a medicine for diabetes or high blood pressure.

The interactions between lycopene and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with lycopene is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking lycopene with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much lycopene?

If you or someone else has used too much lycopene, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to take lycopene safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.