The effect of a slow release formulation of bezafibrate on lipids, glucose homeostasis, platelets and fibrinogen in type II diabetics: a pilot study.

A double-blind placebo-controlled prospective trial assessed the effect of a slow release formulation of bezafibrate (Bezalip Mono) on lipids, glucose homeostasis, platelet function and plasma fibrinogen in non-insulin dependent (type II) diabetics. Twenty-four patients completed the trial. There was a significant improvement in the cholesterol and triglyceride levels and in the fasting blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin levels of those who received the active preparation but not in those who received placebo. Treatment, but not placebo, also resulted in a significant fall in plasma fibrinogen concentration and a trend towards inhibition of platelet aggregation. Bezafibrate was well tolerated and only one patient withdrew from the trial possibly because of side-effects of the drug. A larger study is needed to establish whether bezafibrate can reduce non-lipid risk factors (e.g., plasma fibrinogen concentration; glucose intolerance--hyperinsulinaemia) in normo- and hyperlipidaemic patients.