Clofibrate in type II hyperlipoproteinemia.

As a part of a double-blind randomized study, the safety and the lipid- and uric acid-lowering effect of clofibrate have been evaluated in 28 patients with type II hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP). A highly significant reduction of serum cholesterol occurred in type IIa and of serum triglyceride and choelsterol in type IIb HLP throughout the 60-week observation period (p less than 0.01). Of the patients with types IIa and IIb HLP, 65% had at least a 25% reduction of serum cholesterol. Uric acid was significantly reduced only during the first period of treatment (p less than 0.05). In the laboratory measurements concerning safety, a persistent, slight reduction was observed in Hb, hematocrit and alkaline phosphatase. No significant clinical side-effects were noted. Clofibrate is considered effective as a lipid-lowering agent in many cases of type II HLP.