An Analysis of Aluminum and its Compounds in Pharmaceutical Applications

Introduction: Defining Aluminum in a Medicinal Context

Clarification of Identity: Addressing the Revoked DrugBank ID and Establishing Focus on Aluminum (CAS 7429-90-5) and its Compounds

The initial query identifies the substance of interest by the DrugBank accession number DB01370. A critical preliminary finding is that this specific record has been revoked by the database curators.[1] This revocation indicates that classifying elemental aluminum as a single, discrete "small molecule" drug is pharmacologically imprecise from the perspective of modern drug information systems. The therapeutic and toxicological properties attributed to "aluminum" are not derived from the metallic element itself but from a diverse family of its inorganic compounds.

Therefore, this report will focus on elemental aluminum, identified by its Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number 7429-90-5, as the parent entity from which various pharmaceutically active compounds are derived.[2] The primary objective is to provide a comprehensive analysis of this family of aluminum-containing pharmaceuticals, clarifying their distinct chemical identities, therapeutic applications, mechanisms of action, and associated risks. This approach corrects the initial premise of a single drug entity and frames the subject in a scientifically accurate context.

The Dual Nature of Aluminum: A Ubiquitous Element, Versatile Pharmaceutical Ingredient, and Recognized Toxicant

Aluminum is the third most abundant element in the Earth's crust, constituting over 8% of its mass.[5] Its ubiquity ensures that human exposure through food, drinking water, and the environment is constant and unavoidable.[7] Despite this widespread presence, aluminum has no established essential biological function in humans.[5]