Clofibric acid is a drug used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. The word "clofibric" is spelled as /kləʊˈfɪbrɪk/ in International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The initial sound is "kl" pronounced as /kl/ followed by "o" pronounced as /əʊ/. The next sound is "f" pronounced as /f/ followed by "i" as /ɪ/ and "b" as /b/. The final sound is "ric" pronounced as /rɪk/. Thus, the word "clofibric" is pronounced as /kləʊˈfɪbrɪk/ in IPA transcription.
Clofibric acid is a chemical compound classified as a phenoxyisobutyric acid derivative. It is a fibric acid derivative predominantly used as a hypolipidemic agent, primarily for treating dyslipidemia, an abnormal lipid profile characterized by elevated levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood.
Chemically, clofibric acid is a crystalline solid that features a phenoxy group attached to an isobutyric acid moiety. It has a molecular formula of C10H11ClO3 and a molecular weight of 216.64 g/mol. This compound is a white, odorless substance that is sparingly soluble in water.
As a hypolipidemic agent, clofibric acid exerts its effects by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in the liver. This activation leads to an increased expression of genes involved in hepatic fatty acid oxidation and decreased expression of genes involved in lipogenesis. Through these mechanisms, clofibric acid helps reduce triglyceride and LDL-C levels while elevating high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, contributing to an overall improvement in lipid profile.
Clofibric acid is typically administered orally in the form of tablets or capsules. It is generally well-tolerated by patients, although side effects such as gastrointestinal disturbances, muscle pain, and elevated liver enzyme levels may occur. It is important to note that clofibric acid should be used under medical supervision, as it may interact with certain medications and require periodic liver function monitoring.
The word "clofibric acid" is derived from several elements:
1. Clofibrate: The term "clofibric" is derived from "clofibrate", which is the basic compound that clofibric acid is derived from. Clofibrate is an organic compound used in the treatment of high cholesterol and related conditions.
2. Acid: The term "acid" refers to the chemical nature of clofibric acid as an acidic compound. Acids are substances that typically have a sour taste, can react with metals to form salts, and can turn litmus paper red.
Combining these elements, "clofibric acid" refers to an acidic compound derived from clofibrate.