Combination therapy with low-dose lovastatin and niacin is as effective as higher-dose lovastatin.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if low-dose lovastatin in combination with niacin causes a greater percentage reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol than lovastatin alone, and to determine if the combination increases the risk of serious adverse effects. design. Prospective, randomized, open-label, clinical trial. setting. Family medicine clinic of a university-affiliated hospital. Patients. Patients with fasting LDL cholesterol concentrations of at least 150 mg/dl after 4 weeks of dietary stabilization and washout of any cholesterol-lowering drugs.


METHODS
Twenty-eight patients received lovastatin 20 mg/day for 4 weeks after dietary stabilization and washout. If LDL cholesterol remained above 130 mg/dl (100 mg/dl in patients with coronary artery disease), they were randomized to receive either lovastatin 40 mg/day or a combination of lovastatin 20 mg/day and niacin 500 mg 3 times/day.


RESULTS
There was no difference in actual or percentage reductions of LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides between the groups. A greater increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol occurred with combination therapy (p = 0.024). There was no difference in liver function tests, glucose, or uric acid between the therapies. Based on drug-acquisition cost, combination therapy is approximately 40% less expensive than monotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Low-dose niacin plus low-dose lovastatin was as effective as higher-dose lovastatin in lowering total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. The combination may offer benefit in raising HDL cholesterol levels.
Gardner
S F
SF
Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA.
Schneider
E F
EF
Granberry
M C
MC
Carter
I R
IR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009525:Niacin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D009525:Niacin; D008148:Lovastatin