Gemfibrozil in hyperlipidaemic patients with peripheral arterial disease: some undiscovered actions

The effects of gemfibrozil were assessed in 27 hyperlipidaemic patients with stable peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Gemfibrozil (600 mg twice daily) was administered for 12 weeks after 2 weeks of placebo medication, thus enabling patients to act as their own controls. Serum cholesterol levels were reduced by a mean of 11.3%, triglycerides by 42.3% and low density lipoprotein cholesterol by 19.9%. Small but significant increases in HDL3 and apolipoprotein A-II also occurred. New findings included significant reductions in plasma lipid peroxides and Factor VIIc levels and a mean increase of 19% in antithrombin III concentrations. Furthermore, plasma fibrinogen levels increased by a mean of 17.6%, a potentially adverse effect of gemfibrozil that has not been previously reported.