fibrate
A class of lipid-lowering medications that primarily reduce triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol.
Full Definition
Fibrates are a class of lipid-modifying drugs that work by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), leading to increased fatty acid oxidation and decreased triglyceride synthesis. Common fibrates include fenofibrate and gemfibrozil. They are particularly effective at lowering triglycerides (30-50% reduction) and raising HDL cholesterol (10-20% increase) but have modest effects on LDL cholesterol. Fibrates are primarily used in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia or mixed dyslipidemia. Caution is needed when combining with statins due to increased risk of myopathy.
Usage
Usage note: Always lowercase unless beginning a sentence. Be specific about which fibrate when prescribing.
In Context
- "Fibrate therapy was initiated for severe hypertriglyceridemia exceeding 500 mg/dL." — Treatment decision
- "The combination of statin and fibrate requires careful monitoring for myopathy." — Safety protocol