Beclobrate:pharmacodynamic properties and therapeutic use in hyperlipidemia

Beclobrat is a new fibric acid derivative with potent cholesterol- and triglyceride-lowering effects. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic investigations suggest that once-daily administration in a dosage of 100 mg is admissible. In comparison with other lipid-lowering drugs such as dose, even when calculated on a molar basis, is as effective as 300 mg fenofibrate, 600 mg bezafibrate or 900 mg gemfibrozil. The effectiveness of the drug has been investigated in a variety of studies including patients with hyperlipidemia types IIa, IIb and IV and patients suffering from secondary hyperlipidemia attributable to diabetes mellitus, liver disease, end-stage renal failure requiring hemodialysis, and kidney transplantation. According to the type of hyperlipidemia studied, the mean reduction of LDL-cholesterol ranges from -10% to -28% and that of triglycerides from -20% to -58%. Mean serum HDL-cholesterol increase has been reported to be 8.5-23.9%. In general, side-effects of beclobrate therapy are comparable with those of other fibric acid derivatives, but have to be investigated carefully in a greater number of patients. Advantages in clinical use are administration of a small capsule in a single daily dose. This has been shown to increase patient compliance and is especially useful for treatment of hyperlipidemia in those patients requiring antihyperlipidemic combination therapy or additional medication for further diseases.