A survey on the efficacy and tolerability of micronized fenofibrate in patients with dyslipidemia.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the clinical efficacy of micronized fenofibrate on mildly-moderately elevated LDL-C levels and reduced HDL-C levels.

METHODS

During 1998 - 1999, 2358 patients with type IIa, IIb and IV hyperlipidemia were monitored in 16 cities in China. They were treated daily with micronized fenofibrate (micronized lipanthyl) 200 mg for 8 weeks. Lipid levels before and after the treatment were measured and analyzed.

RESULTS

Micronized fenofibrate significantly increased HDL-C levels by 12.7%, the effect being inversely correlated to the baseline level of HDL-C. Out of the total patient population, a baseline level of HDL-C < 1.0 mmol/L was found in 837 patients: amongst this group, 510 patients (60.9%) were observed to have an increase in the level of HDL-C to > 1.0 mmol/L with a mean of 1.3 mmol/L, after 8-week micronized fenofibrate therapy. Furthermore, the mean LDL-C level decreased by 15.9% following an 8-week treatment of micronized fenofibrate, an effect positively correlated to the baseline level of LDL. In general, all patients tolerated the drug comfortably.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term treatment of micronized fenofibrate in patients with dyslipidemia significantly increases HDL-C level and reduces mildly-moderately elevated LDL-C level. As expected, it also reduces triglyceride levels.