Comparison of the effects of halofenate (MK-185) and clofibrate on plasma lipid and uric acid concentration in hyperlipoproteinemic patients.

The plasma lipid and serum uric acid lowering effect of halofenate (MK-185, 1 g/day) was compared with the action of clofibrate (2 g/day) in a double-blind 1-yr study in 23 patients with Type 2, 3, 4, and 5 hyperlipoproteinemia. It could be demonstrated that clofibrate decreased the plasma cholesterol concentration significantly to 75% and the triglyceride concentration to 49% of the placebo period level. Halofenate produced no consistent effect on plasma cholesterol but ther was an average reduction of the plasma triglyceride concentration to 84%, which was, however, not significant. If only the Type 4 patients were taken into account, a mean significant decrease to 47% of the triglyceride concentration was observed during the second 24-week period of treatment. In contrast, halofenate lowered the serum uric acid concentration significatnly to 77% of the placebo period level, whereas the decreasing action of clofibrate was weaker (88%) and of lesser significance.