title: [The "duration of administration" factor in studies of clinical pharmacology of hypolipemic drugs].
abstract: Clinical pharmacological trials of lipid lowering drugs should first of all indicate the duration of interruption of previously used lipid lowering drugs. The duration of interruption should be at least 4 weeks for inhibitors of HMG CoA reductase, 6 weeks for a second generation fibrate or a resin and over 6 months for probucol. In order to obtain the maximum therapeutic effect, a 4 week treatment period is sufficient for a HMG CoA reductase inhibitor or a resin. On the other hand, this period is longer for a fibrate and a 6 week treatment period is to be preferred with this family of drugs. The efficacy of probucol on the lipid fractions can only be assessed after several months' therapy. In future, a more accurate classification of patients with respect to their physiopathology should provide a better evaluation of the comparative efficacy of the different lipid lowering drugs.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farnier
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents
vernacular_title: Le facteur "durée d'administration" dans les études de pharmacologie clinique des hypolipémiants.