Long-term treatment (2 years) with the HMG CoA reductase inhibitors lovastatin or pravastatin in combination with cholestyramine in patients with severe primary hypercholesterolemia.
The effects of the two HMG CoA reductase inhibitors lovastatin and pravastatin in combination with 12-16 g cholestyramine on serum lipids were studied in 18 patients with severe primary hypercholesterolemia. Combined therapy of cholestyramine with lovastatin (80 mg daily) decreased low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 44% (baseline 7.65 +/- 0.51 mM) and increased high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by 20% (baseline 1.22 +/- 0.12 mM) in 9 patients after 2 years. In 9 other patients with comparable baseline lipid values, cholestyramine plus pravastatin (40 mg daily) reduced LDL cholesterol to a comparable extent after 2 years (-43%, baseline 7.71 +/- 0.44 mM) and increased HDL cholesterol by 18% (baseline 1.06 +/- 0.11 mM). The combination with lovastatin led to a significant reduction in triglycerides level by 25% (baseline 1.63 +/- 0.24 mM), whereas the combination with pravastatin did not change triglycerides level (baseline 1.39 +/- 0.15 mM). Both drug regimens were well tolerated without serious side effects. The effects of both HMG CoA reductase inhibitors after 2 years were comparable to those after short-term intake and after 1-year therapy without loss of efficacy.
Jacob
B G
BG
Department of Medicine II, University of Munich, Germany.
Richter
W O
WO
Schwandt
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D002792:Cholestyramine Resin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002792:Cholestyramine Resin; D008148:Lovastatin; D017035:Pravastatin