[Antilipemic agents in combined therapy]

In the prevention of coronary heart disease the aim to achieve the target cholesterol and triglyceride levels and the maximal risk reduction leads to the combination of lipid lowering agents. The importance of the combination is supported by the fact that in monotherapy use of the high dose of the drugs, the lipid lowering effect is modest and the side effects are more frequent. The combined therapy is expected to be used more frequently despite the fact, that the improperly applied combination could have serious unfavourable effects. The authors review the advantages and drawbacks of the fibrate-statin combination, which could be used in the most frequent lipid abnormality, the high cholesterol and high triglyceride level, when the combination of micronized fenofibrate and fluvastatin is recommended. Beside the co-administration of other lipid lowering drugs (nicotine acid and resins), it is discussed the combination of statins and fibrates with a new, cholesterol absorption inhibitor, ezetimibe, a well tolerated drug with advantageous safety profile. Considering further metabolic risks the combination of lipid lowering drugs with glitazones, hormone replacement therapy, homocysteine reducing agents is as well highlighted.