Probucol: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:53, 13 February 2025

Probucol[edit]

Probucol is a lipid-lowering agent that was initially developed for the treatment of coronary artery disease. It was originally used to lower cholesterol levels, but its use has declined due to concerns about its side effects and the availability of more effective treatments.

Mechanism of Action[edit]

Probucol works by increasing the rate of cholesterol excretion from the body. It is thought to act by enhancing the activity of the enzyme cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, which is involved in the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids. Probucol also has antioxidant properties, which may contribute to its effects on lipid levels.

Clinical Use[edit]

Probucol was primarily used to treat hyperlipidemia, particularly in patients who did not respond adequately to other lipid-lowering therapies. However, its use has been limited due to its potential to cause QT interval prolongation, which can lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias.

Side Effects[edit]

The most significant side effect of probucol is its potential to prolong the QT interval on the electrocardiogram, which can increase the risk of torsades de pointes, a type of life-threatening arrhythmia. Other side effects may include gastrointestinal disturbances, such as nausea and diarrhea.

History[edit]

Probucol was first introduced in the 1970s as a treatment for hypercholesterolemia. Despite its initial promise, its use has declined due to safety concerns and the development of more effective and safer lipid-lowering agents, such as statins.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Probucol''' is a [[lipid-lowering agent]] that is primarily used to treat [[hypercholesterolemia]], a condition characterized by high levels of [[cholesterol]] in the blood. It was first synthesized in the 1970s and has been used in various countries around the world to manage cholesterol levels and prevent [[cardiovascular disease]].
+== Probucol ==
-== History ==
+[[File:Probucol.svg|thumb|right|Chemical structure of Probucol]]
-Probucol was first synthesized in the 1970s by the pharmaceutical company [[Merck Sharp & Dohme]]. It was initially developed as an [[antioxidant]], but was later found to have lipid-lowering properties. The drug was approved for use in the United States in 1985, but was withdrawn from the market in 1995 due to concerns about its long-term safety.
+'''Probucol''' is a lipid-lowering agent that was initially developed for the treatment of [[coronary artery disease]]. It was originally used to lower [[cholesterol]] levels, but its use has declined due to concerns about its side effects and the availability of more effective treatments.
 == Mechanism of Action ==
+Probucol works by increasing the rate of [[cholesterol]] excretion from the body. It is thought to act by enhancing the activity of the enzyme [[cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase]], which is involved in the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids. Probucol also has antioxidant properties, which may contribute to its effects on lipid levels.
-Probucol works by increasing the rate at which cholesterol is removed from the body. It does this by inhibiting the enzyme [[HMG-CoA reductase]], which is involved in the production of cholesterol in the liver. This leads to a decrease in the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which can help to prevent the formation of [[atherosclerotic plaques]] in the arteries.
+== Clinical Use ==
+Probucol was primarily used to treat [[hyperlipidemia]], particularly in patients who did not respond adequately to other lipid-lowering therapies. However, its use has been limited due to its potential to cause [[QT interval]] prolongation, which can lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias.
 == Side Effects ==
+The most significant side effect of probucol is its potential to prolong the [[QT interval]] on the [[electrocardiogram]], which can increase the risk of [[torsades de pointes]], a type of life-threatening arrhythmia. Other side effects may include gastrointestinal disturbances, such as nausea and diarrhea.
-Like all medications, probucol can cause side effects. The most common side effects of probucol include [[gastrointestinal]] symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other side effects can include skin rash, dizziness, and changes in liver function. In rare cases, probucol can cause a serious condition called [[QT prolongation]], which can lead to life-threatening heart rhythm disorders.
+== History ==
+Probucol was first introduced in the 1970s as a treatment for [[hypercholesterolemia]]. Despite its initial promise, its use has declined due to safety concerns and the development of more effective and safer lipid-lowering agents, such as [[statins]].
-== Current Use ==
-Despite its withdrawal from the U.S. market, probucol is still used in some countries, including Japan and China, to treat hypercholesterolemia. It is also being investigated for its potential use in the treatment of other conditions, such as [[Huntington's disease]] and [[Alzheimer's disease]].
-== See Also ==
-* [[Hypercholesterolemia]]
+== Related Pages ==
-* [[Cardiovascular disease]]
+* [[Cholesterol]]
-* [[HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors]]
+* [[Hyperlipidemia]]
-* [[QT prolongation]]
+* [[QT interval]]
+* [[Statins]]
-[[Category:Drugs]]
+[[Category:Antihyperlipidemic agents]]
-[[Category:Cholesterol]]
+[[Category:Cardiovascular drugs]]
-[[Category:Cardiovascular disease]]
-{{Pharma-stub}}
-{{Medicine-stub}}