Fenofibrate: hypolipaemic activity and safety in long-term treatment. Effects on HDL, LDL, VLDL and apoprotein B in short-term treatment (author's transl)

In a study started in 1973 and still in progress (1100 patient-years so far) fenofibrate in daily doses of 200-400 mg consistently proved effective, without any loss of activity with time. The drug lowered serum total cholesterol levels by 17-27% in type IIa, IIb and III primary hyperlipoproteinaemia (HLP) and serum triglyceride levels by 35-51% in type IIb and III HLP and by 46-54% in type IV HLP. Clinically and biologically fenofibrate was always well tolerated, even after 5 years' treatment. Side-effects were uncommon (4%) and mild, and they obliged to discontinue treatment in only 1% of the patients. Abnormal manifestations encountered during therapy appeared to be fortuitous. The effects of the drug on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality could not be determined from this trial. In a short-term study involving 21 patients with type IIa and IIb primary HLP, fenofibrate in doses of 200-400 mg/day produced a significant decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and apoprotein B. It is also reduced triglycerides and VLDL-triglycerides in type IIb HLP. The increase in HDL-cholesterol observed under fenofibrate was significant in type IIa HLP but not in type IIb HLP. In both types, there was a significant rise in HDL: LDL + VLDL ratio.