Efficacy and safety of ciprofibrate in hyperlipoproteinaemias

Ciprofibrate is an effective treatment for three main types of atherogenic hyperlipoproteinaemia: type IIa hypercholesterolaernia, type IIb combined hyperlipidaemia, and type IV hypertriglyceridaemia. In type IIa hypercholesterolaemia, administration of 100 mg/day of ciprofibrate, to approximately 3000 patients, decreased total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, apolipoprotein B (apo B) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Levels of apolipoproteins in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI (apo A-1) were increased. Administration of the same dose of ciprofibrate, to approximately 3500 patients with type IIb combined hyperlipidaemia, had a marked cholesterol- and triglyceride-lowering effect, in addition to producing a decrease in LDL cholesterol and apo B, and an increase in apo A-I. TC levels were also decreased in type IV hypertriglyceridaemia following administration of 100 mg/day of ciprotibrate to 800 patients. The decrease in TC levels was attributable to a decrease in triglyceride levels and an increase in HDL cholesterol levels. The pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action and safety of ciprofibrate treatment are also discussed.