Bezafibrate is a fibrate drug that is used as a lipid-lowering agent to treat hyperlipidemia. It helps lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, and increases HDL.
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For which diseases is Bezafibrate prescribed
Bezafibrate improves combined hyperlipidemia markers, effectively lowering LDL and triglycerides and improving HDL levels. Like the other fibrates, bezafibrate is a PPARα agonist; some studies suggest that it may also have some activity on PPARγ and PPARδ.
The main effect on cardiovascular morbidity is in patients with metabolic syndrome, whose characteristics are attenuated by bezafibrate. Studies show that in patients with impaired glucose tolerance, bezafibrate can slow progress towards diabetes, and in those with insulin resistance it delayed progress on the HOMA severity marker.
Furthermore, a prospective observational study of dyslipidemic patients with diabetes or hyperglycemia showed that bezafibrate significantly reduces the concentration of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) as a function of baseline HbA1c levels, regardless of the simultaneous use of antidiabetic drugs.
Australian biotech company Giaconda combines bezafibrate with chenodeoxycholic acid in a combination of hepatitis C drugs called Hepaconda.
Bezafibrate has been shown to reduce tau protein hyperphosphorylation and other signs of tauopathy in transgenic mice bearing human tau mutation.
The combination of a cholesterol-lowering drug, bezafibrate, and a contraceptive steroid, medroxyprogesterone acetate, could be an effective, non-toxic treatment for a variety of cancers, according to researchers at the University of Birmingham.
Indications on how to use Bezafibrate
Other evidence that substantial bulk tolerance is available at the para position is given by the lipid-lowering agent bezafibrate. Tyramine p-chlorobenzamide undergoes a Williamson ether synthesis with ethyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropionate to complete the synthesis. The ester group hydrolyzes in the alkaline reaction medium.
The recommended dose of bezafibrate is 200 mg 3 times a day, or alternatively 400 mg once a day as a sustained-release preparation.
Route of Administration: Oral
In vitro use guide
400 uM of bezafibrate increases the levels of carnitine palmitoyltransferase II, mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation, intracellular ATP and mitochondrial membrane potential in human fibroblasts.
Your dose of bezafibrate will depend on whether you were prescribed the normal-release tablets (Bezalip®) or the modified-release tablets (Bezalip Retard®).
The usual dose of Bezalip® is 200 milligrams three times a day, and the usual dose of Bezalip Retard® is 400 milligrams once a day.
Always take your bezafibrate exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much bezafibrate to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.
How to take bezafibrate
- Swallow your bezafibrate tablets with a glass of water.
- Take bezafibrate at around the same time every day. If you have been prescribed Bezalip®, it is usually taken 2 or 3 times a day, and Bezalip Retard® is taken once a day.
- Bezafibrate is best taken with or after food.
- If you have been given modified-release tablets (Bezalip Retard®), it is important that you swallow them whole, do not chew, crush, or break them.
To lower your cholesterol, you must keep taking bezafibrate every day. If you forget your dose, take it as soon as you remember that day. But, if it is almost time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the right time. Do not take double the dose.
Bezafibrate side effects
The main toxicity is liver (abnormal liver enzymes). Myopathy and rarely rhabdomyolysis have been reported. Like all medicines, bezafibrate can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Side effects often get better as your body adjusts to the new medicine.
Contraindications of Bezafibrate
- Do you have problems with your gallbladder?
- Do you have thyroid problems?
- Do you have problems with your liver or kidneys?
- Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Are you taking or using any other medications? This includes any medications you are using that are available to buy without a prescription.
If so, it is important that you tell your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking bezafibrate. Sometimes a drug is not suitable for a person with certain conditions, or it can only be used with special care.
Bezafibrate cautions and warnings
- Stomach ache
- Bloating or gas in the belly.
- Nausea (feeling sick) or dizziness.
- Signs of muscle problems, such as muscle aches and pains, leg pain, muscle cramps, tenderness, or weakness
- Signs of liver problems, such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pain in the abdomen. These are quite common when you first start taking bezafibrate and usually go away over time. Take your tablets with just after food. Tell your doctor if you have problems. These symptoms are more likely if you are using bezafibrate with a statin.
Trademarks and presentations of Bezafibrate
Marketed as Bezalip and other brand names. Bezafibrate was first introduced by Boehringer Mannheim in 1977.
Bezafibrate is used to lower the levels of cholesterol (mainly triglycerides) in the blood. Bezafibrate is generally used in combination with a statin in people with high triglycerides or prescribed when statins cannot be used to lower cholesterol. In New Zealand, bezafibrate is available as normal-release tablets (Bezalip®) or as modified-release tablets (Bezalip Retard®).
More information about Bezafibrato
Bezafibrate is an antilipemic agent that lowers cholesterol and triglycerides. Lowers low-density lipoproteins and increases high-density lipoproteins. Bezafibrate reduces high blood lipids (triglycerides and cholesterol).
Elevated VLDL and LDL levels decrease with bezafibrate treatment, while HDL levels increase. The activity of triglyceride lipases (lipoprotein lipoproteins and hepatic lipoprotein lipases) involved in the catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins is increased by bezafibrate.
In the course of intensified degradation of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (chylomicrons, VLDL), precursors for the formation of HDL are formed, which explains an increase in HDL. Furthermore, cholesterol biosynthesis is reduced by bezafibrate, which is accompanied by a stimulation of LDL receptor-mediated catabolism of lipoproteins.
Elevated fibrinogen appears to be an important risk factor, along with lipids, smoking, and hypertension, in the development of atheroma. Bezafibrate is a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) agonist with antilipidemic activity. Bezafibrate lowers triglyceride levels, increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, and lowers total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.
Bezafibrate is only found in people who have used or taken this drug. It is an antilipemic agent that lowers cholesterol and triglycerides. Lowers low-density lipoproteins and increases high-density lipoproteins. Like the other fibrates, bezafibrate is an agonist of PPAR & alpha; ; some studies suggest that it may have some activity in PPAR & gamma; and PPAR & delta; too.
Dr. Samantha Robson ( CRN: 0510146-5) is a nutritionist and website content reviewer related to her area of expertise. With a postgraduate degree in Nutrition from The University of Arizona, she is a specialist in Sports Nutrition from Oxford University and is also a member of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.