A pilot study of the pharmacokinetics and triglyceride lowering activity of acipimox in dialyzed uremic patients.

The pharmacokinetics of acipimox was studied in 6 dialyzed uremic patients given single oral doses of 50 mg. Acipimox was not significantly eliminated outside dialysis, whereas during dialysis it was efficiently cleared with plasma, t 1/2 is about 2.6 hours. Accordingly, a dosage schedule of 50 mg or 100 mg of acipimox after each dialysis session was selected for a second, 4-week study in 14 uremic patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Acipimox plasma levels, monitored during the study, proved in agreement with those expected on a theoretical pharmacokinetic basis. A clear-cut reduction of serum triglyceride levels was also achieved.