hi and welcome. well if you are over weight and have high cholesterols , then weight reduction and control of cholesterols with drugs ( if exercise and diet , smoking and alcohol abstinence does not control them) is important. it reduces risks of heart diseases and stroke. but if you are diabetic, have previous strokes, and coronary artery or peripheral vascular diseases , then reduction and maintaining of lipid profile through out with medications is important. side effects of lipicard( finofibrates) is commonly nausea and headache that is bothersome. seek medical advise if you have palpitations , tightness in the chest or allergic rashes(blisters) , dark urine, pale stools ,muscle tenderness or persistent sore throat. side effects of atorlip( atorvastatin) are joint pains , runny nose, flu like symptoms, allergic rash like finofibrates . it is advisable to check your liver functions before you start these drugs and keep them monitoring monthly and then monthly later on. good luck