Patient/caregiver was instructed upon therapeutic uses of tricor as follows:
- Tricor is an anti-cholesterol medication used in individuals with complaint of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, to help reduce the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
- Lipoprotein lipase is an enzyme that usually helps with breakdown and storage of bad cholesterol and triglycerides in muscle and adipose tissue. Tricor works by increasing the activity of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase. This results in increased breakdown and storage of bad cholesterol and triglycerides in muscle and adipose tissue, thus reducing their levels in the blood.
- Reduction in the blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides contributes to reduced risk for atherosclerosis and plaque formation in the blood vessels.
- Formation of plaque can compromise blood supply to vital organs, such as, heart, brain, and kidneys, which can undermine their function.
- By reducing the risk for plaque formation, tricor helps to prevent compromise of blood supply to vital organs. This can help prevent episodes of angina, myocardial infarction, stroke, and compromised renal function, and helps maintain their functional status.
- Reduced plaque deposition in the blood vessels also helps maintain optimum blood pressure and prevent episodes of hypertension, thus reducing workload on the heart and improving cardiac function.
- Also, elevated triglycerides in the blood is a significant risk factor for pancreatitis. Tricor, by reducing the levels of triglycerides in the blood, contribute to reduced risk for pancreatitis.
