The hypocholesterolemic effect of an antacid containing aluminum hydroxide

study objective: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and hypocholesterolemic effect of an aluminum hydroxide-containing antacid in hypercholesterolemic individuals. design: A prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled phase of 2 months' duration, followed by an open-design treatment phase of 2 months' duration and a washout phase of 2 months' duration. setting: Family practice clinics of two rural communities (kibbutzim) in Israel. patients: Fifty-six men and women with hypercholesterolemia (type IIa or IIb). Fifty individuals completed the study. intervention: After 2 months of dietary modification (low-fat, low-cholesterol diet), the participants were randomized into two matched groups. Group 1 (28 participants) was treated for 2 months with a chewable antacid tablet containing simethicone, magnesium hydroxide, and 113 mg of aluminum hydroxide per tablet, at a dose of two tablets four times daily. Group 2 (22 participants) was given a similar number of placebo tablets for 2 months. During the following 2 months, both groups received the antacid at the above dose. measurements and main results: Lipoprotein levels were evaluated at baseline and every 2 months thereafter for 6 months. Compared with pretreatment levels, Group 1 experienced a decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of 9.8% after 2 months (p <0.001) and 18.5% after 4 months (p <0.001). Compared with Group 2, the decrease in LDL-C in Group 1 was 6.2% at the end of the 2-month double-masked placebo phase. Although the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was also reduced in Group 1 at the end of 4 months of therapy (10.2%), the HDL-C/LDL-C ratio increased by 13% during the same interval (p <0.05). The treatment was well tolerated, with minimal side effects. conclusions: An aluminum hydroxide-containing antacid reduces LDL-C in hypercholesterolemic individuals. Although HDL-C was also reduced to a lesser extent, the overall atherogenic index was improved. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of antacids containing aluminum hydroxide in hypercholesterolemic patients.