Potential options to treat hypertriglyceridaemia

Hypertriglyceridaemia is associated with insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity and diabetes. The management of hypertriglyceridaemia and atherogenic dyslipidaemias increasingly involves the use of several drugs for different aspects of the metabolic syndrome. This review highlights the agents for treatment of blood pressure, weight and blood pressure that reduce triglycerides as a number of drugs used to treat these co-morbidities also lower triglycerides as additional effects beyond their primary actions. Lipid-lowering drugs particularly fibrates and niacin and to a lesser degree statins and omega-3 fatty acids reduce plasma triglyceride levels. Additional reductions can be gained from the appropriate choice of therapies for co-morbid condition as the optimal combinations may offer benefits in improving cardiovascular risk as well as compliance.