Beneficial effect of simvastatin in patients with drug resistant familial hypercholesterolaemia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of simvastatin in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia refractory or intolerant to routine drug therapy.


METHODS
Eighteen patients were given increasing doses of 10, 20 and 40 mg simvastatin for eight week periods, followed by a control period on their former drug therapy in a prospective, crossover clinical study.


RESULTS
Mean total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (SEM) were significantly lower on 40 mg simvastatin alone than at the end of the control period (7.3 (0.3) mmol/L vs 10.7 (0.4) and 5.1 (0.3) vs 7.8 (0.5) respectively; p less than 0.01). Apo-B was also significantly lower on 40 mg simvastatin (p less than 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Simvastatin offers effective cholesterol lowering for patients with drug resistant familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Lewis-Barned
N J
NJ
Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin.
Ball
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019821:Simvastatin; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D008148:Lovastatin; D019821:Simvastatin