Medicine & USMLE

Fibrates

11,987 views
Cardiovascular Pharm (Old)
  1. Adenosine
  2. Magnesium
  3. Nitroprusside
  4. Nitrates
  5. Ivabradine
  6. Digoxin/Digitalis
  7. Class IA Antiarrhythmics
  8. Class IB Antiarrhythmics
  9. Class IC Antiarrhythmics
  10. Class II Antiarrhythmics
  11. Class III Antiarrhythmics - Amiodarone
  12. Class III Antiarrythmics - Sotalol
  13. Class III Antiarrhythmics - Ibutilide, Dofetilide
  14. Class IV Antiarrhythmics - Verapamil, Diltiazem
  15. HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)
  16. Ezetimibe
  17. Fibrates
  18. PCSK9 Inhibitors (Alirocumab, Evolocumab)
  19. Fish Oil and Omega-3s
  20. Milrinone
  21. Aliskiren
  22. Hydralazine
  23. Ranolazine
  24. Sacubitril

Summary

Fenofibrate, Bezafibrate and Gemfibrozil are fibrate drugs, a class of drugs primarily used to lower triglyceride levels. Fibrates lower triglyceride levels by activating PPAR-alpha, a transcription factor that upregulates or increases the expression of lipoprotein lipase. Lipoprotein lipase is an enzyme that then goes around cutting up triglycerides, breaking them down into free fatty acids. Fibrates also work to decrease production of VLDL and increase production of HDL, both of which help reduce triglyceride and cholesterol levels in your bloodstream. Fibrates are particularly potent for reducing triglyceride levels, which makes them first-line agents in treating hypertriglyceridemia. Important side effects to look out for include myopathy, hepatotoxicity, and gallstone formation, which is caused by the inhibition of 7-alpha-hydroxylase.

Key Points

  • Fibrates
    • Drug Names
      • Gemfibrozil
      • Bezafibrate
      • Fenofibrate
    • Mechanism
      • Activates PPAR-alpha
        • ↓↓↓ triglycerides
          • Induce lipoprotein lipase
        • Decrease VLDL
        • Increase HDL
        • Decrease LDL (usually)
    • Clinical Use
      • Most effective drug for lowering triglycerides
      • Prevents acute pancreatitis
        • Hypertriglyceridemia is an important cause of acute pancreatitis
    • Adverse Effects
      • Myopathy
        • ↑ risk with statins
      • Hepatotoxicity
        • ↑ risk with statins
      • Cholesterol gallstones
        • Via inhibition of cholesterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase