Summary
Cholesterol has reached the approved stage (maximum clinical phase 4) for at least one indication, so its use in GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) would be drug repurposing rather than first-in-human development. This does not mean it is approved for GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). No registered clinical trial in this database tests Cholesterol specifically in GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). The evidence below comes from published literature only, so any clinical signal has not yet been tested prospectively against this condition in a registered study. The literature layer holds 2 publications for this pair: 2 meta-analyses. The dated items are from 2025. Because at least one synthesis-level source exists (systematic review, meta-analysis or Cochrane review), this pair has been assessed beyond single studies, although the synthesis may concern a different indication.
The RepurpOS disease-intelligence file for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease ranks 203 candidate therapeutics from Open Targets, ChEMBL, DGIdb and PubMed; only a minority carry direct clinical evidence, and this page covers one of those. Spontaneous remission context recorded for the condition: Symptom recurrence in 70-80% within 6 months of PPI discontinuation in erosive GERD; highly variable in non-erosive disease; ~20% of GERD is nonerosive, where acid suppression is less effective.
Evidence table
| Evidence tier | A · Strong |
|---|---|
| Evidence score | 28.0 (trials 0.0, literature 8.0, tier 15, approved bonus 5.0) |
| Registered trials | 0 total: 0 recruiting, 0 active / not yet recruiting, 0 completed, 0 other |
| Linked publications | 2 (2 meta-analyses) |
| Agent type | Drug (Small molecule) |
| Development stage (any indication) | Approved |
| Mechanism / class | Not recorded |
| Data sources | DGIdb |
| Linked via biomarker / target | APOE |
How the evidence score is calculated
- Each registered trial scores by status (recruiting / active / enrolling 3, completed 2.5, not yet recruiting 2, unknown 1, terminated / withdrawn / suspended 0.5) plus a phase bonus (phase 3-4 +2, phase 2 +1, phase 1 +0.5). The trial component is capped at 30.
- Each literature item scores by design (Cochrane review 5, meta-analysis 4, systematic review 3, RCT 3, clinical trial publication 2, curated reference 1.5, other PubMed record 1). The literature component is capped at 30.
- The existing evidence tier adds 15 (A / Strong), 10 (B / Moderate), 5 (C / Preliminary) or 0 (D / Anecdotal).
- Agents approved for any indication (max clinical phase 4) add 5, because an approved agent has an established safety profile that lowers the barrier to repurposing trials.
- The score ranks what has been studied, not what works. It does not read effect sizes or directions of effect.
Registered clinical trials
No registered trial links Cholesterol to GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) in the current OSMF trial extract.
Published literature
- Meta-analysis Mapping Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Coronary Artery Disease: A Comprehensive Analysis of Multivariable Mendelian Randomization and Shared Genetic EtiologyZhen Y, Yuan X, Ruan M et al. · Clinical cardiology · 2025 · PMID 41117297
- Meta-analysis Xanomeline-Trospium for Adults with Schizophrenia Experiencing Acute Psychosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Safety and Tolerability OutcomesKishi T, Citrome L, Sakuma K et al. · Pharmacopsychiatry · 2025 · PMID 39880004
Mechanism and notes
No mechanism of action is recorded for this pair in the source databases.
OSMF's existing evidence tier for this pair is A (Strong), derived from the strength of the disease association recorded in DGIdb, in this case via the biomarker or target APOE. The tier describes how well the drug-disease link is documented, not how well the drug works.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cholesterol approved for GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)?
Cholesterol has reached the approved stage (maximum clinical phase 4) for at least one indication, so its use in GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) would be drug repurposing rather than first-in-human development. This does not mean it is approved for GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). Approval status for the specific indication should always be confirmed with the relevant regulator and prescribing information.
Is Cholesterol in clinical trials for GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)?
No registered clinical trial in this database tests Cholesterol specifically in GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). The evidence below comes from published literature only, so any clinical signal has not yet been tested prospectively against this condition in a registered study.
What does the evidence show for Cholesterol in GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)?
Synthesis-level literature links Cholesterol to GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), but no registered trial in this database tests the pair, so the evidence is observational, pooled from other indications, or pre-dates registry practice. OSMF's existing evidence tier for this pair is A (Strong), derived from the strength of the disease association recorded in DGIdb, in this case via the biomarker or target APOE. The tier describes how well the drug-disease link is documented, not how well the drug works.
Cite this page
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, Open Targets, ChEMBL, DGIdb and the OSMF therapeutic agent database. Last updated 2026-07-05. Page built 2026-10-07.