Triglycerides represent a abundant type of fat molecule in your body, made up of three fatty acid chains connected to a glycerol molecule backbone. You body uses triglycerides as a way to store chemical energy, which your body can break down and utilize as required. Most triglycerides in your body remain localized in fat cells, but your body may also contain small amounts of triglycerides as well. High blood triglyceride levels can cause health effects, such as increased risk of heart disease, and an individual with high triglycerides may require medication to help lower the levels of triglycerides in his bloodstream.
Niacin
Your doctor may prescribe niacin, or vitamin B-3, to lower your blood triglycerides. The University of Maryland Medical Center indicates that taking niacin can help lower triglycerides, as well as "bad," or LDL, cholesterol; it can also increase the levels of "good," or HDL, cholesterol in your bloodstream. As a result, niacin may help reduce some forms of cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis. Prescription doses, not vitamin doses, of niacin are used to treat high triglycerides and cholesterol. Taking niacin may also cause side effects, and you should only take niacin under the supervision of a doctor.
Gemfibrozil
The medication gemfibrozil may also help lower your blood triglyceride levels, as well as blood cholesterol levels. Gemfibrozil interferes with specific chemical reactions within your liver, preventing your liver cells from generating triglycerides, and ultimately reducing the levels of triglycerides within your bloodstream. Gemfibrozil is taken in tablet form twice daily, before meals. The drug may cause side effects, including heartburn or stomach pain.
Fenofibrate
Another medication to help lower blood triglyceride levels is fenofibrate. Like gemfibrozil, fenofibrate helps reduce blood triglycerides by reducing the production of triglyceride molecules within your liver. Patients taking fenofibrate need only take one tablet daily, instead of two daily doses. This drug may cause a number of side effects, the most common of which include constipation or diarrhea, headaches, or back, arm or leg pain.
Statins
Another drug that targets blood triglyceride levels are statins, a family of related drugs. Statins work by inhibiting an enzyme within the liver that promotes cholesterol formation. A study published in the "European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" in 2009 studied the effects of statins on blood triglycerides and found that multiple statin drugs prove effective in controlling both blood cholesterol and blood triglyceride levels. Statins may also cause side effects including muscle pain, digestive issues and liver damage.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin B-3 (Niacin); Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; June 18, 2009
- MedlinePlus; Gemfibrozil; Sept. 1, 2008
- Medline Plus; Fenofibrate; March 1, 2010
- "European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology"; Lowering effects of four different statins on serum triglyceride level; Branchi et al; 1999
- MayoClinic.com; Statin Side Effects: Weigh the Benefits and Risks; Oct. 28, 2010
