Pharmacotherapy of dyslipidemias in the adult population.
BACKGROUND
Lipid-modifying drugs are therapeutic options that have been shown to reduce the biological and clinical burden related to atherosclerosis; they can be used to correct minor lipid abnormalities, as well as the more severe dyslipidemias that can be met in clinical practice.


METHODS
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) surely represent the choice agents, and must be utilized in relation to the global cardiovascular risk of a hypercholesterolemic subject. When treatment is only partly effective, association therapy is a reasonable solution or, alternatively, a shift towards other less effective 'rescue' drugs or nutraceutical 'ancillary remedies'. In every case, drug tolerability warrants consideration.


RESULTS
Pharmacotherapy of lipid disorders cannot be separated from the knowledge of the main clinical trial results and the pharmacological characteristics of hypocholesterolemic drugs. An appropriate treatment protocol is proposed and examined.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypolipidemic drugs must be added to therapeutic lifestyle changes, and not substituted for them; they may be prosecuted indefinitely, without any interruption; drug adherence is a prerequisite of efficacy and clinical monitoring is necessary for both compliance and safety issues.
University of Ferrara, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Ferrara, Italy. vgg@unife.it
Giovanni Battista
GB
Vigna
Renato
R
Fellin
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008019:Life Style; D055118:Medication Adherence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors