[A comparison of bezafibrate and clofibrate in type II B and type IV hyperlipoproteinemia]

In 36 patients with primary hyperlipoproteinemia of type II B or IV the effect of bezafibrate, a new derivate of clofibrate, has been compared with the effect of clofibrate. In an open cross-over-study the effect of 1.5 g clofibrate p.d. has been compared with that of 450 mg bezafibrate p.d. for several months. The effect of bezafibrate on plasma triglyceride concentration and plasma cholesterol concentration was more pronounced than that of clofibrate. This difference was statistically significantly only in the concentration of plasma triglycerides of type IV patients. It is obvious that the difference between bezafibrate and clofibrate would have been more pronounced if the dose of bezafibrate had been in the optimal range. Serious side-effects caused by bezafibrate could not be observed.