MyFatDog
Drugs Approved for Improving Blood Lipids
Statins.
Statins lower cholesterol (mainly LDL cholesterol) by increasing cholesterol removal from blood.
Statins currently on the market include:
Crestor (rosuvastatin) made by AstraZeneca.
Pravachol (pravastatin) made by Bristol Myers Squibb. Pravastatin is also available in generic
form.
Lipitor (atorvastatin) made by Pfizer.
Zocor (simvastatin) made by Merck. Simvastatin is also available in generic form.
Lescol (fluvastatin), made by Novartis.
Livalo (pitavastatin), made by Novartis. Licensed by Kowa/Eli Lilly.
Lovastatin, the first statin widely used, is available in generic form.
Statins lower cholesterol (mainly LDL cholesterol) by increasing cholesterol removal from blood.
Statins currently on the market include:
Crestor (rosuvastatin) made by AstraZeneca.
Pravachol (pravastatin) made by Bristol Myers Squibb. Pravastatin is also available in generic
form.
Lipitor (atorvastatin) made by Pfizer.
Zocor (simvastatin) made by Merck. Simvastatin is also available in generic form.
Lescol (fluvastatin), made by Novartis.
Livalo (pitavastatin), made by Novartis. Licensed by Kowa/Eli Lilly.
Lovastatin, the first statin widely used, is available in generic form.
Fibrates.
Fibrates lower triglycerides (and VLDL cholesterol) by increasing triglyceride removal from blood.
Fibrates also increase the amount of HDL made and can increase HDL by up to 12%.
Recent studies have shown that diabetic patients with high plasma triglyceride AND low HDL
levels get the most benefit from fibrate treatment.
Fenofibrate, available as a generic is also marketed as:
- Tricor (fenofibrate) made by Abbott.
- Lipofen (fenofibrate) made by ProEthic Pharmaceuticals.
- Antara (fenofibrate) made by Oscient Pharmaceuticals.
- Fenoglide (low-dose fenofibrate, 40 mg) made by Shiongi.
-Fibricor (fenofibric acid) made by URL Pharma.
-Trilipix (fenofibric acid) made by Abbott.
Gemfibrozil, marketed as Lopid (Pfizer) or Gemcor.
Bezafibrate, marketed as Bezalip (Roche)
Ciprofibrate, marketed as Modalim (Sanofi-Aventis).
Fibrates lower triglycerides (and VLDL cholesterol) by increasing triglyceride removal from blood.
Fibrates also increase the amount of HDL made and can increase HDL by up to 12%.
Recent studies have shown that diabetic patients with high plasma triglyceride AND low HDL
levels get the most benefit from fibrate treatment.
Fenofibrate, available as a generic is also marketed as:
- Tricor (fenofibrate) made by Abbott.
- Lipofen (fenofibrate) made by ProEthic Pharmaceuticals.
- Antara (fenofibrate) made by Oscient Pharmaceuticals.
- Fenoglide (low-dose fenofibrate, 40 mg) made by Shiongi.
-Fibricor (fenofibric acid) made by URL Pharma.
-Trilipix (fenofibric acid) made by Abbott.
Gemfibrozil, marketed as Lopid (Pfizer) or Gemcor.
Bezafibrate, marketed as Bezalip (Roche)
Ciprofibrate, marketed as Modalim (Sanofi-Aventis).
Niacin.
Niacin lowers cholesterol (mainly LDL cholesterol) and increases HDL. It is available in
immediate release and extended release formulations.
Niacin is typically given as low dose that is gradually increased over several weeks. This is
done to minimize side effects such as itching and flushing.
Niacin and niacin derivatives currently on the market include:
Niacin (vitamin B6, immediate release) is made by a number of companies specializing in
drug supplements.
Niaspan (extended release Niacin) made by Abbott.
Niacor (immediate release Niacin) made by Upsher-Smith.
Simcor (simvastatin + extended release niaspan) made by Abbott.
Olbetam (Acipimox). A niacin derivative approved outside the US.
Niacin lowers cholesterol (mainly LDL cholesterol) and increases HDL. It is available in
immediate release and extended release formulations.
Niacin is typically given as low dose that is gradually increased over several weeks. This is
done to minimize side effects such as itching and flushing.
Niacin and niacin derivatives currently on the market include:
Niacin (vitamin B6, immediate release) is made by a number of companies specializing in
drug supplements.
Niaspan (extended release Niacin) made by Abbott.
Niacor (immediate release Niacin) made by Upsher-Smith.
Simcor (simvastatin + extended release niaspan) made by Abbott.
Olbetam (Acipimox). A niacin derivative approved outside the US.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors lower cholesterol (mainly LDL cholesterol) by preventing
cholesterol from being absorbed by the gut. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors have also been
shown to improve blood glucose although the reason for this is currently unknown.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors currently on the market include:
Cholestagel (colesevelam) made by Genzyme.
Cholebine (colestilan) made by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma. Approved for use in Japan and in
phase III developement in the US.
Zetia (ezetimibe) made by Merck / Schering-Plough.
Welchol (colesevelam) made by Daiichi Sanyo.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors lower cholesterol (mainly LDL cholesterol) by preventing
cholesterol from being absorbed by the gut. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors have also been
shown to improve blood glucose although the reason for this is currently unknown.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors currently on the market include:
Cholestagel (colesevelam) made by Genzyme.
Cholebine (colestilan) made by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma. Approved for use in Japan and in
phase III developement in the US.
Zetia (ezetimibe) made by Merck / Schering-Plough.
Welchol (colesevelam) made by Daiichi Sanyo.
Fish/plant oils
Fish oil and fish oil derivatives are used primarily to lower plasma triglyceride and VLDL
levels. Plant oils such as flaxseed oil are used for the same indications. These typically
lower LDL and raise HDL.
Lovaza (omega-3-acid ethyl esters) made by GlaxoSmithKline.
Epadel (EPA ethyl ester) made by Mochida Pharmaceuticals. Available in Japan.
Many other companies market fish oil and plant oil supplements.
Fish oil and fish oil derivatives are used primarily to lower plasma triglyceride and VLDL
levels. Plant oils such as flaxseed oil are used for the same indications. These typically
lower LDL and raise HDL.
Lovaza (omega-3-acid ethyl esters) made by GlaxoSmithKline.
Epadel (EPA ethyl ester) made by Mochida Pharmaceuticals. Available in Japan.
Many other companies market fish oil and plant oil supplements.
Copyright © 2008-2012 John Millar. All rights reserved.
Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP)
inhibitors
MTP inhibitors block the loading of lipid (mainly triglyceride) on lipoproteins which reduces the
number of triglyceride-rich chylomicron and VLDL particles that enter the blood. Since LDL are
made from VLDL, MTP inhibitors also reduce LDL levels in blood.
lomitapide (AEGR-733) made by Aegerion. Approved for use in familial
hyperchylomicronemia in the US. Familial hypercholmicronemia is a rare disorder that can result
from one of several different genetic mutations. Untreated patients with this disorder can have
triglyceride levels higher than 5,000 mg/dl and are at risk of pancreatitis.
inhibitors
MTP inhibitors block the loading of lipid (mainly triglyceride) on lipoproteins which reduces the
number of triglyceride-rich chylomicron and VLDL particles that enter the blood. Since LDL are
made from VLDL, MTP inhibitors also reduce LDL levels in blood.
lomitapide (AEGR-733) made by Aegerion. Approved for use in familial
hyperchylomicronemia in the US. Familial hypercholmicronemia is a rare disorder that can result
from one of several different genetic mutations. Untreated patients with this disorder can have
triglyceride levels higher than 5,000 mg/dl and are at risk of pancreatitis.