The insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) afflicts approximately 25% of the US adult population. Its principal components include some or all of the following: central obesity, elevated triglyceride levels, decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, a preponderance of small, dense low density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and increased thrombotic tendency. Subjects with the IRS are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes and/or coronary heart disease (CHD). While lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) often improve many of the manifestations of the IRS, pharmacotherapy is often needed to normalize individual components.