A retrospective review of the use of lipid-lowering agents in combination, specifically, gemfibrozil and lovastatin.
We conducted a retrospective review examining lipid profiles, creatine phosphokinase (CK) levels, and alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT) in patients receiving the combination of gemfibrozil and lovastatin. Serum lipid levels were significantly improved with therapy over those before therapy. Of the 70 patients receiving the combination, 5 experienced mild elevations in CK, 1 a mild elevation in ALT, and 1 mild elevations in both. No patient reported muscle weakness or muscle pain. The combination of these two medications appeared to be at least additive, highly effective, and well tolerated. The mean total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased from 278, 306, and 180 mg% to 200, 151, and 129 mg%, respectively, and the mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased from 34 to 40 mg%. This retrospective data analysis suggests that the combination of gemfibrozil and lovastatin may be safe in patients with normal renal function when the dosage of lovastatin is limited and when CK and ALT levels are monitored carefully.
Wirebaugh
S R
SR
Department of Pharmacy, Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas 78236-5300.
Shapiro
M L
ML
McIntyre
T H
TH
Whitney
E J
EJ
D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D002792:Cholestyramine Resin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003084:Colestipol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015248:Gemfibrozil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009525:Niacin / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D008055:Lipids; D002792:Cholestyramine Resin; D009525:Niacin; D008148:Lovastatin; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D003084:Colestipol; D015248:Gemfibrozil