Effects of gemfibrozil (Lopid®) on hyperlipidemia in acitretin-treated patients: Results of a double-blind cross-over study

Abstract

Hyperlipidemia is a common side-effect of oral retinoid treatment, which sometimes interferes with long-term therapy. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the lipid-lowering drug gemfibrozil on retinoid-associated hyperlipidemia, we studied the clinical response and the plasma lipoprotein levels in 22 acitretin-treated (0.25-0.75 mg/kg) patients mainly suffering from psoriasis. Gemfibrozil or placebo was given in a double-blind cross-over fashion to 14 patients, who after 8 weeks of acitretin therapy and dietary advice exhibited hyperlipidemia (triglyceride levels ≥50% above baseline and/or ≥2.0 mmol/l). Serum triglycerides remained high (3.7 ± 2.4 mmol/l) during placebo treatment but were reduced after 8 weeks of gemfibrozil treatment (p < 0.01). The total cholesterol level decreased slightly (p < 0.05) during gemfibrozil treatment, but the LDL/HDL ratio did not change significantly. No untoward effects of gemfibrozil on acitretin dose-response and clinical side-effects were noted. Gemfibrozil thus appears useful in patients prone to retinoid-induced hyperlipidemia unresponsive to dietary treatment and acitretin dose reductions.