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Bezalip tablets contain the active ingredient bezafibrate, which is a type of medicine known as a fibrate. (Bezafibrate is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Bezafibrate is used to lower the levels of fats (lipids) called cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. For the sake of simplicity, there are two sorts of cholesterol; a 'bad' sort called low density lipoprotein (LDL) and a 'good' sort called high density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is deposited in the arteries and increases the risk of heart disease by clogging and narrowing the arteries (atherosclerosis), while HDL actually protects the arteries against this. Triglycerides are another type of 'bad fat' that increase the risk of hardened arteries. Bezafibrate works mainly by stimulating the action of two enzymes that breakdown triglycerides. These are called lipoprotein lipase (found in muscle and fat tissue) and hepatic lipase (found in the liver). Stimulating these enzymes increases the breakdown of triglycerides in the blood. Bezafibrate also decreases the production of triglycerides by the liver. As a result of both these actions, bezafibrate lowers the levels of triglycerides in the blood. In addition, Bezafibrate decreases the production of LDL cholesterol by the liver, which causes the liver cells to take up excess LDL cholesterol from the blood. It also increases levels of HDL cholesterol. The overall effect is lowered levels of "bad fats" and raised levels of "good fats" in the blood. Fibrates have an important role in the prevention of coronary heart disease. They reduce the risk of excess cholesterol and triglycerides being deposited in the major blood vessels of the heart (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis limits the amount of blood and therefore oxygen being carried to the heart muscle. This can cause chest pain (angina) and in severe cases can result in a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Fibrates are used to lower triglycerides and cholesterol in people who have high levels either due to genetics or as a result of diet and lifestyle. This helps to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and the problems it can cause. It is important to continue to follow a cholesterol-lowering diet and exercise regime while taking bezafibrate. Discuss this with your doctor.
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