Ciprofibrate in the therapy of type II hypercholesterolemia. A double-blind trial

The hypolipidemic efficacy of ciprofibrate was evaluated in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia. Patients were randomized to placebo or ciprofibrate (50 mg or 100 mg/day) and, after a 6-week baseline period, received medication for a period of 12 weeks. Blood samples were analyzed every 2 weeks. Twenty patients completed the study (4 on placebo, 7 on 50 mg/day, and 9 on 100 mg/day ciprofibrate). The drug was well tolerated in all patients. Lipid values in the patients on active drug decreased and attained stable values after 4 weeks of treatment. Compared to baseline values, total and LDL cholesterol decreased 11% and 13% on the 50-mg dose whereas HDL increased 8%. Plasma triglyceride fell by 22%. In patients receiving 100 mg ciprofibrate, total and LDL cholesterol fell by 20% (334 leads to 269 mg/dl) and 24% (262 leads to 198 mg/dl), respectively. HDL increased 9.8% (51 leads to 56 mg/dl) and triglyceride decreased by 30% (102 leads to 69 mg/dl). Values in the placebo group remained stable. We conclude that once daily therapy with 100 mg ciprofibrate, is effective in reducing LDL levels in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia (mainly heterozygous FH) and that this decrease is paralleled by small rises in HDL.