Fibrates – Overview and Uses
When working with fibrates, a class of medication that primarily lowers triglycerides and can raise HDL cholesterol. Also known as fibric acid derivatives, it targets the liver to boost the breakdown of fatty acids. In everyday language, fibrates are the go‑to drugs when doctors need to trim down high triglyceride levels that don’t respond to diet alone. They sit inside the broader picture of lipid disorders, medical conditions like hypertriglyceridemia and low‑HDL cholesterol that raise heart disease risk. Often, patients also take statins, cholesterol‑lowering drugs that mainly cut LDL levels, to cover the full spectrum of blood‑fat management. This trio—fibrates, statins, and the lipid disorders they treat—creates a layered approach to protecting the heart.
How Fibrates Work and Who Benefits
Fibrates activate a protein called PPAR‑α, which tells liver cells to burn more fatty acids and produce less VLDL, the particle that carries triglycerides. The result is a noticeable drop in triglyceride numbers and a modest rise in the “good” HDL cholesterol. People with severe hypertriglyceridemia, often above 500 mg/dL, see the biggest gains because high triglycerides can trigger pancreatitis. Beyond that, anyone with mixed dyslipidemia—elevated triglycerides paired with low HDL—can benefit from the dual effect. A key semantic link is that high triglycerides are a known contributor to cardiovascular disease, a condition where clogged arteries lead to heart attacks and strokes. By lowering this risk factor, fibrates indirectly support overall heart health, especially when combined with statins that knock down LDL cholesterol. Many clinicians also prescribe fibrates for patients with metabolic syndrome, where insulin resistance, hypertension, and abnormal fat levels intertwine.
Safety matters, too. Fibrates can increase the chance of muscle pain, especially if taken with high‑dose statins, so doctors usually monitor CK levels and adjust doses accordingly. Kidney function should be checked before starting therapy, because reduced clearance can raise drug levels. Common side effects include mild gastrointestinal upset and a slight rise in liver enzymes, which are usually reversible. Knowing these details helps patients and providers decide when the benefits outweigh the risks. In the sections ahead you’ll find practical advice on dosage, what to watch for during treatment, and how fibrates compare to newer lipid‑lowering options. This background sets the stage for the deeper dives that follow, giving you a solid footing before you explore each article in the list.
