Triparanol was primarily used as a cholesterol-lowering drug in the 1950s and 1960s. It works by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for the final step of cholesterol synthesis, thereby reducing cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. This made it a potential treatment for hypercholesterolemia and related cardiovascular conditions. However, its use was discontinued due to severe side effects, including the development of cataracts and other adverse reactions. Recent studies have explored its potential to inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells, though it is no longer used clinically. Despite its withdrawal from the market, Triparanol remains significant in the history of pharmacology as an early example of cholesterol-lowering therapy, paving the way for the development of safer and more effective drugs like statins.