Efficacy of pravastatin in combination with captopril in hypertensive patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of pravastatin in the treatment of primary hypercholesterolaemia in patients being treated with captopril for hypertension.


METHODS
A double-blind parallel group study comparing 12 weeks of pravastatin therapy (20-40 mg/day) with placebo.


METHODS
25 patients (age, 37-73 years) with mild-to-moderate hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia (total cholesterol level, 5.5-8.8 mmol/L).


RESULTS
Pravastatin reduced total cholesterol levels by 22% (from 7.1 +/- 0.29 [SEM] to 5.5 +/- 0.25 mmol/L; P < 0.001) and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 32% (from 5.0 +/- 0.32 to 3.4 +/- 0.28 mmol/L; P < 0.001) in four weeks and these levels were maintained for the 12 weeks of therapy. Pre-pravastatin values returned three weeks after stopping therapy. Levels of total cholesterol, cholesterol fractions and triglycerides remained constant or deteriorated in the placebo group. Pravastatin therapy was well tolerated. An integrated coronary risk score showed a 40% reduction in risk.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that pravastatin (combined with captopril) is an effective cholesterol-lowering drug, but that treatment needs to be maintained.
O'Callaghan
C J
CJ
Hypertension Services, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, VIC.
Krum
H
H
Conway
E L
EL
Lam
W
W
Skiba
M A
MA
Howes
L G
LG
Louis
W J
WJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002216:Captopril / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002784:Cholesterol; D002216:Captopril; D017035:Pravastatin