Update on the Pharmacologic Agents for Dyslipidemia

Although statins have demonstrated consistent and strong effects on cardiovascular prevention, non-statin drugs have failed to show additional clinical benefit. Consequently, statins are currently recommended as first-line therapy in dyslipidemia. On the contrary, non-statin drugs are indicated in limited cases in which statins are not sufficiently effective or intolerable. A recent trial on ezetimibe provides evidence supporting further prescription of this agent. Proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 inhibitors have strong low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol-lowering effects and were just approved in Western countries. However, results of clinical outcomes are not yet available. Other non-statin lipid-modifying agents have their own roles and limitations. Thus, it is important to have correct knowledge on these agents for optimal treatment of dyslipidemic patients.ope