Probucol: a new cholesterol-lowering drug effective in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinemia

Type II hyperlipoproteinemia or hyperbetalipoproteinemia (B-HLP), a condition with considerable atherogenic potential, is one of the most difficult lipid disorders requiring treatment. Since this abnormality responds minimally to dietary therapy alone, supplemental drug therapy is usually essential. Although the available bile-sequestering resins are effective in B-HLP, these substances are unpalatable and constipating. Since lifelong drug therapy is necessary as an adjunct to diet in the treatment of B-HLP, the ideal drug should be both effective and well tolerated. Probucol, a new cholesterol-lowering drug in tablet form without serious adverse effects, was evaluated in a 12-wk double-blind crossover trial in 11 patients with B-HLP whose serum cholesterol levels were in excess of 275 mg/dl. Probucol, in a dosage of 500 mg twice daily, produced a 10% or greater reduction in serum cholesterol levels in all 11 patients. Serum cholesterol was lowered (p less than 0.01) from 353 to 291 mg/dl in the entire group receiving probucol. There was no significant change (p greater than 0.1) in serum cholesterol (352 mg/dl) during placebo administration. These were no untoward drug effects during the study, and all patients maintained excellent complicance to the schedule of medication. These results indicate that probucol possesses considerable cholesterol-lowering activity and may be a promising new nontoxic therapeutic agent in type II hyperlipoproteinemia.