Gemfibrozil is sometimes used with a statin to lower triglycerides and VLDL.

Gemfibrozil is sometimes used with a statin to lower triglycerides and VLDL.

• A. It is always avoided with anticoagulants
• B. It raises LDL levels
• C. It is never used with statins
• D. It is sometimes used with a statin to lower triglycerides and VLDL

Answer: (D)

Gemfibrozil is a fibrate that lowers triglycerides and VLDL by activating PPAR-alpha, which increases lipoprotein lipase activity and decreases hepatic VLDL production. Because statins mainly reduce LDL, combining a fibrate with a statin can address multiple lipid abnormalities in patients with mixed dyslipidemia. However, this combination carries a risk of muscle toxicity, especially with some statins, so it’s used with caution and under monitoring (often with low-dose statin and/or preferring fenofibrate rather than gemfibrozil). Thus, it is indeed sometimes used with a statin to lower triglycerides and VLDL.

Gemfibrozil is a fibrate that lowers triglycerides and VLDL by activating PPAR-alpha, which increases lipoprotein lipase activity and decreases hepatic VLDL production. Because statins mainly reduce LDL, combining a fibrate with a statin can address multiple lipid abnormalities in patients with mixed dyslipidemia. However, this combination carries a risk of muscle toxicity, especially with some statins, so it’s used with caution and under monitoring (often with low-dose statin and/or preferring fenofibrate rather than gemfibrozil). Thus, it is indeed sometimes used with a statin to lower triglycerides and VLDL.