Comparison of gemfibrozil and lovastatin in patients with high low-density lipoprotein and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
BACKGROUND
The efficacy of gemfibrozil and lovastatin in the treatment of patients who have an elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level and a low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was compared.


METHODS
After at least 6 weeks of a cholestgerol-lowering diet, 17 patients who had a mean baseline LDL-C level above 4.14 mmol/L (160 mg/dL) and an HDL-C level below 1.03 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) received gemfibrozil 600 mg twice daily and lovastatin 20 mg twice daily each for 6 weeks according to a randomized, crossover, double-blind research design.


RESULTS
Lovastatin and gemfibrozil reduced LDL-C levels 34% and 9% and raised HDL-C levels 15% and 18%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Lovastatin is more effective in lowering LDL-C levels and is as effective as gemfibrozil in increasing HDL-C levels in these patients.
McKenney
J M
JM
School of Pharmacy, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.
Barnett
M D
MD
Wright
J T
JT
Proctor
J P
JP
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D015248:Gemfibrozil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008148:Lovastatin; D015248:Gemfibrozil