Medications for Lowering Your Cholesterol
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Fibric Acids

What are they?
     Fibric Acids, (Lopid or gemfibrozil) are effective triglyceride (fat-like substances) lowering drugs. In some patients they modestly lower LDL-cholesterol levels and raise HDL-cholesterol levels. They are not considered major drugs by the National Institutes of Health because they don’t usually reduce LDL-cholesterol levels substantially. So, they’re usually not appropriate for maximally lowering of LDL-levels in patients with coronary heart disease. However, they can be valuable drugs for treating people with very high tryglyceride levels.

How are they taken?
      Usually, these drugs are taken twice a day, 30 minutes before the morning and evening meals.

What about side effects?
     Side effects can include diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, gas and heartburn. Less common still is muscle pain and tiredness.

What about fibric acids and other medications?
     Fibric Acid can cause muscle or kidney problems in some people taking Mevacor (lovastatin). It can also increase blood thinning in people taking blood thinners. It can also raise blood sugar.

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