[Effects of low-dose cholestyramine in long-term therapy of hypercholesterolemia].
Sixty-nine patients (mean age 49 +/- 13 years), affected by primary hypercholesterolemia (65 type IIa and 4 type IIb), were treated for 2 years with 12 gr/day cholestyramine subdivided in two doses. Total serum cholesterol decreased from 353 (sd 66) mg/dl to 291 (sd 62) mg/dl (p less than 0.001) at the third month active treatment remaining thereafter constant. Overall, LDL-cholesterol reduced by 30% in cases with a familial form of the metabolic disorder, by 27% and 30% in those with polygenic or indefinite hypercholesterolemia, respectively. HDL-cholesterol remained unchanged during the study whereas serum triglycerides tended toward an increase. The frequency of reported side effects ranged between 11% and 23% of cases. Mostly they were constipation and abdominal discomfort which, however, did not cause a definitive discontinuation of the resin. The favourable side effect profile and the efficacy confirmed that low-dose cholestyramine represents the first choice drug for hypercholesterolemia.
Cattin
L
L
Istituto di Clinica Medica, Università di Trieste.
Da Col
P G
PG
Fonda
M
M
Mazzone
C
C
Pertot
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D002792:Cholestyramine Resin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D002792:Cholestyramine Resin
Effetti della colestiramina a basse dosi nella terapia a lungo termine dell'ipercolesterolemia.