Fibric Acid Antilipemic Agents

Excerpt

Fibric acid derivatives, or fibrates, are lipid-lowering agents approved for treating primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia. As agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, fibrates reduce triglycerides and modestly increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, offering therapeutic benefits in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia or atherogenic dyslipidemia. Despite their utility, fibrates are underprescribed due to concerns over potential adverse effects—particularly myopathy when used with statins—and limited clinician familiarity with patient selection, drug monitoring, and the United States Food and Drug Administration-labeled versus off-label indications. Fibrates are recommended in conjunction with dietary and lifestyle modifications and are used in clinical scenarios ranging from cardiovascular risk management to triglyceride-induced pancreatitis prevention.