Table 1 Mechanisms of action for the major groups of antihyperlipidemic medications and their frequency of use by the subjects in HyperGEN

Bile sequestrants

A partial removal of bile acids from the enterohepatic circulation by preventing their absorption

Fibric acid derivatives

Increasing fatty acid oxidation to decrease formation of VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) triglycerides

HMG CoA reductase inhibitors

Inhibiting HMG CoA reductase, the rate-limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis

Nicotinic acid derivatives

Inhibiting lipoprotein synthesis and decrease the production of VLDL particles