Comparative efficacy and safety of ciprofibrate and sustained-release bezafibrate in patients with type II hyperlipidaemia.

The hypolipidaemic efficacy and safety of ciprofibrate were compared with a sustained-release formulation of bezafibrate (Bezalip Mono) in 174 patients with type II hyperlipidaemia. This multicenter, open, parallel-group study was conducted in general practice. A total of 83 patients received 100 mg ciprofibrate once daily and 91 received 400 mg bezafibrate once daily for eight weeks. Concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured at baseline (after stabilisation on a lipid-lowering diet) and after eight weeks. Safety was assessed from reports of adverse events and by measuring haematological and biochemical parameters. After eight weeks, ciprofibrate produced a significantly greater decrease in total cholesterol (-17.8% vs -12.5%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-22.4% vs -17.2%), and triglycerides (-33.9% vs -26.1%). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were increased significantly by both drugs (19.6% with ciprofibrate, 24.9% with bezafibrate) but the differences between drugs were non-significant. Both drugs were well tolerated, with headache the most widely reported adverse event.