Drugs in the fibrate family are used to improve levels of cholesterol [3] and related lipids found in the blood. Fibrates are particularly helpful for individuals with high levels of triglycerides.
Medications in this category include:
Possible Helpful Interaction
Fibrate drugs are known to raise homocysteine levels in the blood. High levels of homocycsteine have been associated with increased risk of heart [4] disease, although a direct connection has not been proven.
In a double-blind, placebo controlled trial of 29 men taking fenofibrate, use of the B-vitamins folate [5] (650mcg), vitamin B12 [6] (50mcg) and vitamin B6 [7] (50mg) once daily for 6 weeks restored homocysteine levels to nearly normal values. 1 [8]
Possible Harmful Interaction
Fibrate drugs are known to increase the "blood thinning" effects of drugs in the warfarin [9] (Coumadin) family. Certain herbs, such as garlic, danshen, devil’s claw, dong quai, papaya, PC-SPES and red clover, may thin the blood in a manner somewhat similar to warfarin. Although no such interactions have yet been reported, it is at least theoretically possible that combined use of these herbs and fibrate drugs could pose a risk of bleeding problems.
References
1. Dierkes J, Westphal S, Kunstmann S, et al. Vitamin supplementation can markedly reduce the homocysteine elevation induced by fenofibrate. Atherosclerosis . 2001;158:161-164.
Last reviewed October 2007 by EBSCO CAM Review Board [10]
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical [11] advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health [12] provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical [11] condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
Links:
[1] http://www.thirdage.com/healthguide/fibrate-drugs#p0
[2] http://www.thirdage.com/healthguide/fibrate-drugs#p1
[3] http://www.thirdage.com/cholesterol
[4] http://www.thirdage.com/heart-health
[5] http://www.thirdage.com/healthguide/folate
[6] http://www.thirdage.com/healthguide/vitamin-b12
[7] http://www.thirdage.com/healthguide/vitamin-b6
[8] http://www.thirdage.com/healthguide/fibrate-drugs#ref1
[9] http://www.thirdage.com/healthguide/warfarin
[10] http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness/ebsco-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-cam-review-board-0
[11] http://www.thirdage.com/medical-care
[12] http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness