Comparative efficacy of colestipol and clofibrate in type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia

A multiclinic study was performed comparing colestipol hydrochloride, clofibrate, and placebo in 245 patients with type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia. Eighty-five subjects took colestipol hydrochloride in progressive doses of 15, 20, and 30 g/day; 87 took 2.0 g/day of clofibrate; and 73 took placebo over the six months of study. Colestipol lowered total cholesterol level 20.9% in comparison with clofibrate (14.6%) (statistically significant at months 3, 5, and 6), and lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level 28.8% in comparison with clofibrate (14.8%) (significant at months 2, 4, and 6, all times measured). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol level remained unchanged in all groups. Clofibrate lowered total triglyceride levels 22.5%, compared with an increase of 12.5% in the colestipol group and 11.1% in the placebo group (significant at all time intervals). Colestipol was more effective than clofibrate in lowering the cholesterol fractions associated with increased cardiovascular risk.