Fenofibrate (FBT)

Fenofibrate is a drug of the fibrate class. It is mainly used to reduce cholesterol levels in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease. Like other fibrates, it reduces both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels, as well as increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and reducing triglycerides level. It is used alone or in conjunction with statins in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Fenofibrate is a fibric acid derivative. It lowers lipid levels by activating Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα). PPARα activates lipoprotein lipase and reduces apoprotein CIII, which increases lipolysis and elimination of triglyceride-rich particles from plasma. PPARα also increases apoproteins AI and AII, reduces very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) containing apoprotein B, and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) containing apoprotein AI and AII.