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עמוד בית
Mon, 07.10.24

Original Articles

IMAJ | volume

Journal 4, April 2001
pages: 243-246

Homocystein elevation with fibrates: is it a class effect?

    Summary

    Background: Case-control and prospective studies indicate that an elevated plasma homocysteine level is a powerful risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular diseases. Certain medications can induce hyperhomocystinemia, such as methotrexate, trimethoprim and anti-epileptic drugs. There are few reports indicating an interaction between lipid-lowering drugs (cholestyramine and niacin) and homocysteine. Recently, an interaction was shown between fenofibrate and benzafibrates (a fibric acid derivative) and homocysteine plasma levels.

    Objectives: To evaluate the effects of different fibrates on plasma homocysteine levels and to measure the reversibility of this effect.

    Methods and Results: We investigated the effects of ciprofibrate and bezafibrate on homocysteine levels in patients with type IV hyperlipidemia and/or low high density lipoprotein levels. While a 57% increase in homocysteine was detected in the ciprofibrate-treated group (n=26), a 17% reduction n homocysteine was detected in the group treated with bezafibrate (n=12). The increase in homocysteine in the ciprofibrate-treated group was sustained for the 12 weeks of treatment and was partially reversible after 6 weeks of discontinuing the ciprofibrate therapy.

    Conclusions: These results indicate that an increase In plasma homocysteine levels following administration of flbrates is not a class effect, at least in its magnitude. Moreover, it is reversible upon discontinuation of the treatment.

     

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