Method of treating high plasma cholesterol levels

Abstract

A method prevents or treats diseases associated with high plasma cholesterol levels. In addition, this method reduces plasma cholesterol levels. The method comprises administering a lipase inhibitor, e.g. orlistat, and a pharmaceutically acceptable bile acid sequestrant.

1 . A method of reducing plasma cholesterol levels in a hypercholesterolemic patient, which comprises orally administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of orlistat and a therapeutically effective amount of between 0.1 and 20 grams per day of β-cyclodextrin or γ-cyclodextrin, wherein the orlistat and β-cyclodextrin or γ-cyclodextrin are administered during a meal or one to two hours before or after a meal.  
   
   
       2 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of β-cyclodextrin or γ-cyclodextrin is between 1 and 20 grams per day.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein β-cyclodextrin is administered.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of β-cyclodextrin is between 1 and 20 grams per day.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein γ-cyclodextrin is administered.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of γ-cyclodextrin is between 1 and 20 grams per day.  
   
   
       7 . A method of reducing plasma cholesterol levels in a hypercholesterolemic patient, which comprises orally administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of orlistat and a therapeutically effective amount of between 0.1 and 20 grams per day of colesevelam, wherein the orlistat and colesevelam are administered during a meal or one to two hours before or after a meal.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of colesevelam is between 1 and 20 grams per day.  
   
   
       9 . A method of reducing plasma cholesterol levels in a hypercholesterolemic patient, which comprises orally administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of orlistat and a therapeutically effective amount of between 0.1 and 20 grams per day of colestimide, wherein the orlistat and colestimide are administered during a meal or one to two hours before or after a meal.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of colestimide is between 1 and 20 grams per day.