The mechanism of action of lipid-lowering drugs

In conclusion, many drugs have been used as lipid lowering agents. Only five currently combine efficacy and acceptable side effects. None of these, nicotinic acid, clofibrate, probucol, cholestyramine or colestipol, is without serious drawbacks. In using lipid lowering drugs, it is important to bear in mind the following. First, no patient should be committed to an indefinite period of drug therapy without an adequate trial of diet therapy. For overweight patients, caloric restriction and weight reduction should always be therapeutic goals. Second, as our understanding of lipoprotein metabolism increases, evaluation of new drugs must include not only their effects on triglyceride but also on lipoprotein and apoprotein levels. Third, our drug armamentarium is currently quite limited and there is a pressing need for the development of new, safe and effective hypolipidemic agents.