Gemfibrozil in the treatment of resistant familial hypercholesterolaemia and type III hyperlipoproteinaemia.

The efficacy of gemfibrozil in the treatment of resistant familial hypercholesterolaemia and type III hyperlipoproteinaemia was evaluated in 26 individuals over a mean period of 16 months. In the untreated state both disorders are associated with a high frequency of coronary heart disease. In the former, gemfibrozil with a bile acid sequestrant reduced plasma cholesterol by 32%, an incremental decrease of 17% compared with sequestrant therapy alone. In type III, plasma cholesterol was reduced by 40% and plasma triglyceride by 70%, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased by 45%. In none of the patients studied did clinical or biochemical side effects occur.