Aluminium hydroxide gel (null)

Aluminium hydroxide gel Overview

Alhydrogel is a wet gel suspension of aluminium hydroxide, commonly marketed under the trade name "Alhydrogel," and is one of the most widely used vaccine adjuvants globally. It is not a receptor or molecular target but an excipient designed to improve the efficacy of vaccines by forming a depot at the injection site, allowing prolonged antigen exposure and enhanced activation of antigen-presenting cells. It promotes a Th2-biased immune response and activates certain innate immunity pathways, notably involving the NLRP3 inflammasome. Beyond its adjuvant function, aluminium hydroxide is also used as an antacid, flame retardant, and in some other industrial and pharmaceutical applications. While generally regarded as safe, the use of Alhydrogel is associated with minor local adverse effects and, rarely, with systemic reactions, particularly in patients with impaired renal function.

Mechanism of Action

Depot formation at injection site, enhanced antigen uptake by antigen-presenting cells, activation of innate immunity via NLRP3 inflammasome and other pattern recognition receptor pathways, promotes Th2 immune responses

Biological Functions

Safety Considerations