Name a common fibrate medication.

Fibrates are a class of medications primarily used to lower triglyceride levels and can also increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Fenofibrate is one of the most commonly prescribed fibrate medications and is effective for patients who have elevated triglyceride levels, particularly those whose conditions are not adequately managed with statins alone.

Unlike statins, which primarily work by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in the liver, fenofibrate acts primarily by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). This activation leads not only to increased fatty acid oxidation but also to decreased liver production of triglycerides and an increase in the metabolism of VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein).

The other medications listed are not classified as fibrates. Simvastatin and atorvastatin are both statins that primarily work to lower LDL cholesterol by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme. Ezetimibe, on the other hand, lowers cholesterol absorption from the intestine rather than acting on triglycerides. Therefore, fenofibrate stands out as the appropriate choice when considering common fibrate medications.