Fibrate is commonly prescribing treating high cholesterol and triglycerides. This cholesterol drug decreases triglycerides by reducing liver's production of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and speeding up the removal of triglycerides from the blood.
What are Fibrates? How does it work?
What are Fibrates? Fibrates is a class of medication that reduces the liver's VLDL production and speeds up the removal of triglycerides from the blood. This drug lower blood triglyceride level. Fibrates are modestly effective in increasing HDL cholesterol. However, fibrates are not effective in lowering LDL cholesterol. When used with statins, fibrates may increase the risk of muscle problems.
How do Fibrates work? Fibrates work by lowering triglyceride by reducing the liver's production of VLDL (the triglyceride-carrying particle in the blood) and by increasing the effect of the enzyme responsible for the removal of triglycerides from the blood. Fibrates can decrease triglycerides and increase HDL.
What can you expect from Fibrates? Fibrates can lower triglycerides by about 20 to 50 percent with increases in HDL cholesterol of 10 to 15 percent.
How do you take Fibrates drugs? Usually, Fibrates prescribes in two daily doses 30 minutes before the morning and evening meals.
Who can use Fibrates drugs?
Fibrates are suitable for heart disease patients with elevated triglycerides and low HDL. Fibrates might reduce heart attack risk in such patients.
Who should not use fibrates? Those who are allergic to fibrates or have liver disease (such as biliary cirrhosis or gallbladder disease) or severe kidney disease, should not take these drugs.
Available Fibrates brands
Common Fibrates cholesterol drugs available on the market are:
- Bezafibrate (Bezalip)
- Fenofibrate (Lofibra, Tricor)
- Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
6+ possible side effects of Fibrates
Most patients tolerate Fibrates. Some of the rare side effects are
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
- Headache,
- Tiredness,
- Liver irritation,
- Gallstones
- Anemia
Fibrates can cause muscle damage particularly when taken together with statin medications.