Lipid-lowering agents (fibrates)
- PPAR-alpha agonists
- Lower triglycerides and raise HDL modestly
- Used mainly for severe hypertriglyceridemia
- Fenofibrate is usually easier with statins
- Gemfibrozil raises statin-myopathy risk
- Gallstones and creatinine changes can occur
Class at a glance
- PPAR-alpha agonists
Clinical role
- Lower triglycerides and raise HDL modestly
- Used mainly for severe hypertriglyceridemia
Members / distinctions
- Fenofibrate is usually easier with statins
- Gallstones and creatinine changes can occur
Safety / monitoring
- Gemfibrozil raises statin-myopathy risk
Pearls
- No added ASCVD benefit on top of a statin
- Check transaminases at baseline and periodically
- Contraindicated: liver or gallbladder disease, severe renal impairment
Self-check
- Key risk with Lipid-lowering agents (fibrates)?
Gemfibrozil raises statin-myopathy risk. - Which fibrate is usually easier to combine with statins?
Fenofibrate.
Drugs in this class (2)
Lipid-lowering agents (fibrates) prescription history
Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Lipid-lowering meds (1955–2026). Fibrates highlighted from 1967.
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