Drug-induced dyslipidemia

Hyperlipidemia may be caused or exacerbated by many conditions including pharmacotherapy. A wide variety of medications can cause adverse effects on lipid metabolism leading to dyslipidemia. These include antihypertensives such as thiazide diuretics and nonspecific beta-adrenergic blockers, various steroid hormones including glucocorticoids, estrogens, androgens, and their related compounds, immunosuppressive medications, antineoplastic agents, atypical antipsychotics, HIV-1 protease inhibitors, antiepileptics, and other miscellaneous drugs. The effect of some medications is mild and of little clinical significance, while others can cause severe hyperlipidemia and acute complications such as pancreatitis. This chapter focuses on some of the common medications causing dyslipidemia, the magnitude of their effects, and its mechanisms, and management. Awareness about drug-induced dyslipidemia is essential for providing optimal care to patients with lipid disorders.