Drug therapy for hyperlipidaemia (dyslipidaemia)- A review.

ABSTRACT

Lipids are transported in human plasma as complexes bound to proteins called lipoproteins. Elevation of plasma concentration of lipoproteins is called hyperlipoproteinaemia or hyperlipidaemia. Lipoproteins are divided into high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDH) chylomicrons and lipoprotein a [Lp(a)]. There is no therapeutic approach that will reduce chylomicron catabolism. HDL is the good lipoprotein. Hypolipidaemic drug therapy can reduce LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) thus reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. A complete lipoprotein profile of the patient is required (total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides) before commencing drug therapy. The cholesterol lowering drugs include statins, fibrates, bile acid sequestrants, inhibitors of intestinal sterol absorption, nicotinic acid derivatives and others like dextrothyroxine, omega H-3-marine triglycerides. The adverse effects of these drugs were also highlighted.