Blood pressure lowering effect of fenofibrate evaluated by home blood pressure

OBJECTIVE : Some reports indicate that fenofibrate can reduce casual blood pressure. However, there is no study to evaluate blood pressure lowering effect of fenofibrate using home blood pressure (HBP). We investigated effects of fenofibrate on HBP and each biochemical parameters. METHODS : Consecutive outpatients with essential hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia (n = 57) were administered micronised fenofibrate 67-134 mg once daily. Each biochemical parameters were compared values measured in the treatment period with in the observation period, while morning HBP and heart rate were assessed by analyzing differences in the mean values of final 3-5 days between before treatment and after 2-4 weeks of administration. Evaluation of effects on HBP and home heart rate were performed in 49 patients who measured morning HBP without addition, dose increase and change of antihypertensive drugs during the observation and treatment period. RESULTS : Plasma uric acid, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly reduced (p<0.001, p=0.002, and p<0.001, respectively), while HDL and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly elevated (p<0.001 and p=0.048, respectively) after treatment of fenofibrate. Morning systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate were all lowered after 2-4 weeks of administration (p=0.028, p=0.009, and p<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, the magnitude of HBP reduction with high dose (100 or 134 mg) tends to be greater than with low dose (67 mg). CONCLUSION : Fenofibrate might reduce not only plasma uric acid, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels but also HBP.