Fibric Acid Derivatives

(LifeWire) - Derivatives of fibric acid, known as fibrates, raise HDL ("good") cholesterol and lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides. Fibrates include gemfibrozil and fenofibrate and are used to treat heart disease and atherosclerosis. They are often prescribed along with statin medications. Fibrates may interact with other drugs and generally should not be taken by people with gallstones, gallstone disease, kidney disease or liver disease. Clofibrate was the first fibric acid-derived drug introduced in the United States, but is no longer used because of an association with gallstones and gastrointestinal cancers.