Antihyperlipidemics - Fibrates: Nursing pharmacology

Antihyperlipidemics are medications used to treat clients with dyslipidemia, which refers to increased blood levels of lipids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides. In addition, they’re indicated to treat clients with coronary artery disease and prevent myocardial infarction. Antihyperlipidemics include different classes of medications, among which some of the most commonly used are fibrates.

Now, fibrates include gemfibrozil and fenofibrate, which are administered orally. Once absorbed into the bloodstream, fibrates work by activating an intranuclear receptor called PPARα, or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, a major regulator of lipid metabolism.

When activated by fibrates, PPARα causes adipose tissue cells to produce more lipoprotein lipase, increasing lipolysis and lowering triglyceride levels.

Fibrates also increase the synthesis of HDL, which is sometimes referred to as “good” cholesterol; however, they aren’t very effective at decreasing the levels of low-density lipoproteins or LDL, which is sometimes referred to as “bad” cholesterol.

Therefore, they can be combined with other antihyperlipidemics, such as statins, to treat clients with mixed dyslipidemia, where both triglyceride and cholesterol levels are elevated.

Okay, the most common side effects of fibrates include gastrointestinal disturbances like dyspepsia and diarrhea. In addition, fibrates decrease the conversion of cholesterol into bile acid, which promotes the formation of gallstones, potentially leading to serious side effects like cholelithiasis and pancreatitis.

Clients taking fibrates may also develop a skin rash, urticaria, and pruritus. Fibrates can also cause rhabdomyolysis, and the risk increases when combined with medications like certain statins or colchicine.

Fatigue, dizziness and headache are also common, especially with fenofibrate. Finally, clients taking gemfibrozil may develop pancytopenia and eosinophilia.