Best treatments for hypertriglyceridemia
17 products may treat hypertriglyceridemia, spanning FDA drug classes such as hmg-coa reductase inhibitor, peroxisome proliferator receptor alpha agonist, bile acid sequestrant. The current highest-rated option is crestor. Ranked below by our independent recall-safety rating (rated where FDA data exists) — not medical advice; always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 17 drugs we list for hypertriglyceridemia, 16 are available as lower-cost generics, spanning classes such as hmg-coa reductase inhibitor, peroxisome proliferator receptor alpha agonist, bile acid sequestrant. They’re ranked by each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for hypertriglyceridemia — so confirm the right choice with your prescriber.
Understanding hypertriglyceridemia
High triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia) means having too much of a common blood fat called triglycerides. Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body and come from food and from extra calories the body stores for energy. Levels are grouped as borderline high (150 to 199 mg/dL), high (200 to 499 mg/dL), and very high (500 mg/dL or above). High triglycerides usually cause no symptoms, so many people do not know they have them. Over time, elevated levels can raise the risk of heart disease, such as coronary artery disease, and stroke, and extremely high levels can cause acute pancreatitis. The condition is diagnosed with a simple blood test that measures triglycerides, often as part of a lipid panel; you may need to fast for 9 to 12 hours beforehand. Management centers on heart-healthy lifestyle changes, and some people also need medicine to bring levels down. Contributing factors can include excess weight, physical inactivity, alcohol, and diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, as well as inherited and secondary causes. This is general information, not medical advice.
First-line treatment
The Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline recommends lifestyle therapy as the initial treatment for mild-to-moderate hypertriglyceridemia, including dietary counseling to achieve an appropriate diet, physical activity, and, for people who are overweight or obese, a program to achieve weight reduction. The guideline also advises that anyone with any elevation of fasting triglycerides be evaluated for secondary causes, including certain endocrine conditions and medications. For severe and very severe hypertriglyceridemia (above 1000 mg/dL), it recommends combining reduced dietary fat and simple-carbohydrate intake with drug treatment to reduce the risk of pancreatitis, and specifically recommends that a fibrate be used as a first-line medication in patients at risk for triglyceride-induced pancreatitis. A clinician individualizes the approach based on triglyceride level, cardiovascular risk, and other health factors. This is general information, not medical advice.
Top-rated picks for hypertriglyceridemia: 1. Crestor · 2. Gemfibrozil · 3. Zocor
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Class | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 2 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Peroxisome Proliferator Receptor alpha Agonist | Generic | $3 | View → | |
| 3 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 4 | 68/100 | Prescription | Tablet | HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor | Generic | $86 | View → | |
| 5 | 68/100 | Prescription | Tablet | HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor | Generic | $38 | View → | |
| 6 | 66/100 | Prescription | Suspension | Bile Acid Sequestrant | Generic | $20 | View → | |
| 7 | 64/100 | Prescription | Suspension | Bile Acid Sequestrant | Generic | $20 | View → | |
| 8 | 64/100 | Prescription | Suspension | Bile Acid Sequestrant | Generic | $20 | View → | |
| 9 | 64/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Peroxisome Proliferator Receptor alpha Agonist | Generic | $3 | View → | |
| 10 | 62/100 | Prescription | Tablet | HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor | Generic | $1 | View → |
Narrow by drug class
Explore the class hubs: hmg-coa reductase inhibitor · peroxisome proliferator receptor alpha agonist · bile acid sequestrant
Full ranking · 17 treatments
crestor
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Crestor (Rosuvastatin Calcium) is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor used to treat Coronary Artery Disease, Hypercholesterolemia, Hyperlipoproteinemias, Hypertriglyceridemia.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.04/30· 4 forms Save up to 32% in classgemfibrozil
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Gemfibrozil is a peroxisome proliferator receptor alpha agonist used to treat Coronary Artery Disease, Hypercholesterolemia, Hyperlipoproteinemias, Hypertriglyceridemia.
Pharmacy pays
~$3.09 /30
Save up to 10% in class
zocor
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Zocor (Simvastatin) is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor used to treat Coronary Artery Disease, Hypercholesterolemia, Hyperlipoproteinemias, Hypertriglyceridemia.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.84/30· 5 forms
lescol xl
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Lescol XL (Fluvastatin Sodium) is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor used to treat Coronary Artery Disease, Hypercholesterolemia, Hyperlipoproteinemias, Hypertriglyceridemia.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$75.75/30· 3 forms Save up to 99% in classpitavastatin calcium
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Pitavastatin Calcium is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor used to treat Hypercholesterolemia, Hyperlipoproteinemias, Hypertriglyceridemia.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$36.01/30· 3 forms Save up to 98% in classcolestipol hydrochloride
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Colestipol Hydrochloride is a bile acid sequestrant used to treat Coronary Artery Disease, Diarrhea, Pseudomembranous Enterocolitis, Hypercholesterolemia.
Pharmacy pays
~$20.09 /30
Save up to 58% in classFrequently asked
- What treats hypertriglyceridemia?
- Our catalog lists 17 products that may treat hypertriglyceridemia, based on NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. They're rated where FDA recall-safety data exists; the current top-rated option is crestor.
- What is the best-rated treatment for hypertriglyceridemia?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — crestor ranks highest among the products we list for hypertriglyceridemia. Always consult a professional.
- How are these treatments ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.
- What types of drugs treat hypertriglyceridemia?
- Treatments for hypertriglyceridemia span FDA drug classes including hmg-coa reductase inhibitor, peroxisome proliferator receptor alpha agonist, bile acid sequestrant, nicotinic acid. Compare every option side by side, ranked by independent rating, above.
Treatment associations are derived from NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. This is general reference, not medical advice — always consult a licensed professional.
Sources
The clinical overview above is written from these authoritative public-health and medical-society sources, independently reviewed against each.
- Triglycerides | MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) ↗
- Triglycerides Test | MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) ↗
- High Blood Triglycerides | NHLBI, U.S. National Institutes of Health ↗
- Evaluation and Treatment of Hypertriglyceridemia: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline | J Clin Endocrinol Metab ↗