Acipimox once daily in the treatment of primary hypertriglyceridemia

Sixteen patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia were treated, according to a double-blind crossover design, with acipimox 250 mg twice daily for one month and with acipimox 500 mg once daily for another month. The two treatments were separated by a one-month washout period. Serum triglycerides fell by 34% after both treatment periods. Apoprotein B decreased by 16% after acipimox 250 mg twice daily and by 24% after acipimox 500 mg once daily. Whole serum cholesterol significantly decreased only after acipimox 500 mg once daily and showed a trend toward a diminution after the other treatment period. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apoprotein A-I did not show significant changes. The comparison of the mean changes in serum lipids and apoprotein B during the two treatment periods failed to demonstrate significant differences. The lipid lowering activity of acipimox 500 mg a day was similar when the drug was taken in a single dose or in two divided doses.