Ciprofibrate versus gemfibrozil in the treatment of mixed hyperlipidemias: an open-label, multicenter study

Mixed hyperlipidemia is a common risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ciprofibrate versus gemfibrozil for the treatment of patients with mixed hyperlipidemia carefully selected for similar lipid profiles. A total of 68 patients who had mixed hyperlipidemia after following an isocaloric American Heart Association (AHA) phase I diet for 4 weeks were included. The plasma lipid levels at the inclusion were low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) > or = 130 mg/dL, cholesterol > or = 240 mg/dL, and triglycerides > or = 200 mg/dL. Patients were randomly assigned to receive ciprofibrate 100 mg/d or gemfibrozil 1,200 mg/d. At the end of the 8-week treatment period, efficacy and safety parameters were compared with baseline values. The primary efficacy parameters of the study were percentage changes in triglycerides and LDL-C from baseline. After 8 weeks, plasma triglyceride concentrations were decreased by 43.5% and 54% compared with baseline during ciprofibrate and gemfibrozil therapy, respectively (P <.001). High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were increased 20.8% and 19.3% during ciprofibrate and gemfibrozil, respectively (P <.001). Apoprotein B, cholesterol, and very-low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) concentrations were also improved by the study drugs (18.6%, 13.2%, and 30.9%, respectively, during ciprofibrate and 44%, 13.8%, and 14.4%, respectively, during gemfibrozil). Meanwhile, the effect of the drug was minimal on LDL-C. A significant decrease in non-HDL-C resulted from both treatments (19% and 19.5%, respectively, P <.05). The only statistically significant difference observed between treatments was the effects on fibrinogen concentration, a coronary risk factor. Ciprofibrate significantly decreased its concentration by 18.8%, fibrinogen was slightly increased during gemfibrozil treatment. No patient had a significant modification on any of the safety tests. In summary, ciprofibrate and gemfibrozil are well-tolerated and efficacious treatments for mixed hyperlipidemia. Significant reductions in triglycerides, non-HDL-C, and apolipoprotein B were achieved with both drugs. A significant fibrinogen reduction was obtained with ciprofibrate.