Abstract: The invention relates to fatty acid niacin conjugates; compositions comprising an effective amount of a fatty acid niacin conjugate; methods for treating or preventing an metabolic disease comprising the administration of an effective amount of a fatty acid niacin conjugate, and methods for treating or preventing an metabolic disease comprising the administration of an effective amount of a fatty acid niacin conjugate and another therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating Syndrome X, or inhibiting the onset of symptoms of Syndrome X in a patient, and includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of a salt of at least one alkylated and cross-linked polymer, or a copolymer thereof, the polymer salt formed as a product of the reaction of one or more polymers, or salts and copolymers thereof, having a repeat unit that is essentially: where n is a positive integer and each R, independently, is H or a C1-C8 alkyl group; at least one aliphatic alkylating agent; and a cross-linking agent. Long term administration of the cross-linked polyamine salts of the invention increases HDL levels and decreases LDL levels in patients. The invention also provides for administration of the polymer salt colesevelam, in combination with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor; the combined administration is effective in further lowering serum total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels beyond that achieved by either agent alone.

Abstract: A method for treating hyperglycemia and/or reducing serum glucose levels in a patient that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an amine polymer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the amine polymer is aliphatic. Examples of polymers useful in an embodiment of the invention include sevelamer hydrogen chloride and colesevelam. The invention includes the use of amine polymers such as a cross-linked polymer characterized by a repeat unit having the formula: and salts and copolymers thereof, where n is a positive integer and x is zero or an integer between 1 and about 4. Also described is a use, for the manufacture of a medicament, of a polymer that lowers serum glucose.

Abstract: Tablets, capsules, sachets, or papers having one or more aliphatic amine polymers allow for the targeted release of the polymers at a specific region of the gastrointestinal tract, especially the small intestine. These tablets, capsules, sachets, or papers are useful in a method for lowering cholesterol in a mammal in need thereof. The tablet includes a tablet core having an aliphatic amine polymer, and an enteric coating for the core. The capsule, sachet or paper includes a plurality of beads where the beads have a bead core having an aliphatic amine polymer, an enteric coating therefor and optionally a water-soluble coating.