Final answer:
In patients with CHD or equivalent, drug therapy is added simultaneously with TLC, or after 3 months if TLC is ineffective in other risk categories, as part of the NCEP/ATP III 9 Step treatment panel. Statins and fibrates are among the commonly used drugs for this purpose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The step of the NCEP/ATP III 9 Step treatment panel that involves adding drug therapy simultaneously with Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) in patients with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) or equivalent, or adding drugs after 3 months if TLC alone is not effective in other risk categories, is concerned with using medication to manage lipid levels and reduce cardiovascular risk. For patients with high cholesterol or those at risk for coronary events, statins are commonly prescribed. When triglyceride levels are particularly high, fibrates might be recommended due to their effectiveness in reducing triglycerides. It is crucial to monitor this pharmacological treatment carefully to avoid serious side effects such as myopathy or rhabdomyolysis, especially when drugs are combined.