Pathogenesis and pharmacotherapy of lipid disturbances. Hyperlipidemia is a major cause of atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis-associated conditions, such as coronary heart disease, ischemic cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Currently drugs are use to treat dyslipidemia: statins, bile acid-binding resins, nicotinic acid (niacin) and fibric acid derivatives. Recognition of hypercholesterolemia as a risk factor has led to the developed of drugs that reduce cholesterol levels. New generation drugs include ezetimibe for lowering LDL cholesterol and torcetrapib which increase HDL cholesterol.