This application pertains to compounds comprising unbranched long chain aliphatic alcohols linked to a heterocyclic carboxylic acid moiety by means of an ester or ether linkage. The aliphatic alcohols may include aliphatic alcohols present in polycosanol, such as octacosanol. The heterocyclic carboxylic acid moieties include a 5-membered ring, a 6-membered ring, or a bicyclic ring. In one embodiment, the compounds of the invention include 1-octacosanyl nicotinate and salts thereof. The invention includes prodrugs, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and pharmaceutical compositions of the compounds, and methods of making and using the compounds.