title: Lipid-lowering drugs acting at the level of the gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: This review considers the hypolipidaemic drugs that act on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We searched PubMed up to April 2008 and included randomized controlled trials, original papers, review articles and case reports. Bile acid sequestrants (BAS) have a well-established low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering effect, but may increase triglyceride (TG) levels. BAS have no systematic adverse effects, but are associated with increased GI adverse effects and interactions with the absorption of other drugs. Ezetimibe improves LDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and TG levels, as monotherapy or especially when given with a statin. Ezetimibe has not been associated with serious adverse effects. Ezetimibe has not been evaluated in large clinical trials with cardiovascular disease (CVD) endpoints. Phytosterols are not licensed drugs; they have a well-established LDL-C lowering effect, but there are no large long-term randomized clinical trials investigating their effects on CVD events. Orlistat is an antiobesity drug with a small additional LDL-C lowering effect independent of weight loss. Orlistat-assisted weight loss improves the overall lipid profile, carbohydrate metabolism and transaminase activities. However, its use should be limited to weight reduction. This drug is associated with increased GI adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Vascular Disease Prevention Clinics, Royal Free Hospital campus, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Filippatos
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mikhailidis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001384:Azetidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D000069438:Ezetimibe; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077403:Orlistat; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001384:Azetidines; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D007783:Lactones; D010840:Phytosterols; D000077403:Orlistat; D000069438:Ezetimibe