Lipid-lowering drugs and the use of combination therapies in the treatment of dyslipidemias: a brief review

Abstract

In the treatment of dyslipidaemias, the key objective is the reduction of the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality constitute the first cause of death in developing countries, including Cuba. Different epidemiological studies demonstrate the correlation between the total elevated cholesterol concentrations, particularly cholesterol transported by low density lipoproteins (LDL-C) and clinical benefit of the long term hypolipidemic therapy in hypercholesterolemic patients with or without cardiovascular antecedents. The impact of hypolipidemic drugs in the reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has been shown in numerous studies. The hypolipidemic drugs modify the different lipid fractions, improving the lipid profile and driving to a reduction of the cardiovascular events. The use of hypolipidemic drugs will always be accompanied by the improvement of the healthy lifestyle, as well as physical exercises and the evaluation and treatment of other cardiovascular risk factors, if proceed. A suitable knowledge of the hypolipidemic drugs, characteristics. Indications and contraindications, dose, mechanisms of action and side effects will improve the attainment of the target lipid level. The present paper briefly reviews the characteristics of the different hypolipidemic drugs as well as the application of combined therapy in the treatment of dyslipidaemias when necessary. In condusing for a more effective management of cardiovascular risk and associated dyslipidaemias, combined therapy with complementary pharmacological action mechanisms can be used as usually in other pathologies, such as arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus.