High Triglycerides
High levels of
triglycerides (fat-like substances) in the blood can have many negative effects on the body. They can accumulate on the walls of arteries, which decreases blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Hypertriglyceridemia can also increase a person's risk of developing
heart disease,
angina, a
heart attack, and/or a
stroke.
Very high levels of this fat-like substance can produce a condition known as
pancreatitis (inflammation of the
pancreas). Pancreatitis can be very painful and sometimes cause serious health problems.
Tricor has been licensed to treat
high triglycerides in conjunction with diet and exercise. It works by increasing the breakdown and removal of these fat-like substances so that there are fewer of them in the body.
Tricor can actually cause an increase in
LDL cholesterol (
bad cholesterol) for people with very high levels of triglycerides (greater than 350 mg/dL). Therefore, Tricor should be used with extreme caution or not at all for people with this condition who also have high levels of LDL cholesterol.
Tricor as One Part of Treatment
Lowering triglyceride and
cholesterol levels should begin with lifestyle modifications. These include a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats, limited alcohol use, weight loss, and exercise. If lifestyle changes alone do not lower triglyceride or
cholesterol levels to a desirable level, certain medications, such as Tricor, may be necessary.
Since Tricor can lower both LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels (along with lowering total cholesterol and increasing
HDL), a person can decrease his or her risk of developing certain health problems in the future.
Tricor has not been approved for use in children.
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