Fenofibrate

Fenofibrate, originally marketed as Tricor, reduces both triglycerides and bad cholesterol or LDL while simultaneously boosting good cholesterol or HDL. Fenofibrate does not significantly impact on the overall incidence of heart related disease or death from cardiovascular issues. As a result fenofibrate was relegated to a secondary status behind the statin family which includes simvastatin and atrovastatin. Interestingly studies evaluating fenofibrate for heart disease stimulated significant enthusiasm regarding its potential ability to retard progression of diabetic proliferative retinopathy. Diabetics frequently experience vision threatening overgrowth of new vessels located at the back portion of the eye or retina. This often necessitates laser treatment or injections on VEGF inhibitors directly into the eye. Quite unexpectedly fenofibrate seems to dramatically slow but not prevent this condition. Fenofibrate may also improve diabetic macular edema. While the FDA approves fenofibrate only for lipid disorders, in 2013 Australian authorities added diabetic retinopathy to the drug’s indications. Smaller studies suggest fenofibrate might also offer some degree of protection to the kidney in diabetes. Overall fenofibrate appears safe. Early fears that it might cause significant muscle damage when combined with statins appear largely ill-founded.