Meta Information
ID:fibrates
Name:Fibrates
Schema Version:1.5
Alternate Names
- Fenofibrate
- Gemfibrozil
- Bezafibrate
- Ciprofibrate
Active Compound
null
Intervention Type
therapeutic_agent
Delivery
Route:
oral
Scope:
- systemic
Regulatory Status
- us:rx_drug
- eu:rx_drug
Indication
Focus:
disease_treatment
Description:
Treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia (high triglycerides) and mixed dyslipidemia to reduce cardiovascular event risk in specific patient populations.
Typical Protocol
- Fenofibrate is typically prescribed at 48 to 145 mg once daily.
- Gemfibrozil is typically prescribed at 600 mg twice daily, 30 minutes before meals.
Expected Cost Mean
Low Cost:
10
High Cost:
50
Cost Type:
monthly
Description:
Generic prescription cost, often covered by insurance for indicated conditions.
Summary
Fibrates are a class of drugs that activate a nuclear receptor called PPAR-alpha (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha). This activation alters the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism, primarily leading to a significant reduction in blood triglyceride levels and a modest increase in HDL ('good') cholesterol. They are prescribed for specific types of dyslipidemia to manage cardiovascular risk, not as a general healthspan intervention.
Purpose
PPAR-alpha agonists used to lower triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol.
Card Summary
A class of prescription drugs that activate PPAR-alpha to lower high triglycerides and reduce cardiovascular risk in specific patient populations.
Drug Class
Drugs In Class
- fenofibrate
- gemfibrozil
- bezafibrate
- ciprofibrate
Impact
Score:
7.5
Justification:
Highly effective for lowering triglycerides and reducing cardiovascular risk in specific patient populations.
Evidence
Grade:
A
Score:
9
Justification:
Extensive evidence from large-scale randomized controlled trials for lipid management.
Safety
Score:
5.5
Justification:
Risk of myopathy, liver enzyme elevation, and gallstones; requires medical supervision.
Flags
- Increased risk of myopathy (muscle pain) and rhabdomyolysis, especially when combined with statins.
- May cause elevation of liver enzymes (transaminases) and requires periodic monitoring.
- Can increase the risk of cholelithiasis (gallstones).
- Contraindicated in patients with severe renal or hepatic disease.
- Gemfibrozil has more significant drug-drug interactions than fenofibrate.
Verdict
Effective for high triglycerides under medical guidance; not a healthspan intervention.
Created
2026-05-05T20:20:41.627505Z
Ai Model
Gemini 2.5 Pro (High)