The long-term effects of probucol on serum lipid levels

Abstract

Probucol, a serum cholesterol-lowering agent, was studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for 1 yr in 118 hypercholesterolemic men. The mean decrease in the level of serum cholesterol in the probucol group (n = 88) from baseline for months 6-12 ranged from 16.2% to 20.9%. The mean decrease from baseline for the placebo-treated patients (n = 30) ranged from 5.2-12.7%. The difference between the groups was highly significant. At the end of this 1-yr trial, 61 of the probucol-treated patients continued receiving therapy in an open trial for up to 7 yr. After the 2nd yr of probucol treatment, the reduction in serum cholesterol levels ranged from 23.1-27.4% and was subsequently maintained. Probucol is safe and effective for the long-term lowering of serum cholesterol levels in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. This drug may be useful in treating cardiovascular diseases associated with high cholesterol levels.