title: Efficacy and safety of atorvastatin compared to pravastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
abstract: Plasma cholesterol and other lipoproteins play a significant role in the development of atherosclerosis and subsequent coronary heart disease (CHD). This 1 year study was designed to confirm the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin (Lipitor) compared to pravastatin, a marketed agent for low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction in hypercholesterolemic patients. Patients were recruited at 26 centers in six European countries. After a 6 week placebo baseline phase, patients were randomized to receive atorvastatin 10 mg or pravastatin 20 mg daily. The dose could be doubled at week 16, if LDL-C levels remained > or = 3.4 mmol/l (135 mg/dl). Atorvastatin significantly lowered LDL-C from baseline by 35% compared with 23% for pravastatin (P < 0.05). A total of 72% of atorvastatin patients attained the LDL-C target level of < 3.4 mmol/l, compared to 26% of pravastatin patients. Atorvastatin also significantly reduced TC, TG and apo B (P < 0.05). Safety was assessed by recording adverse events and measuring clinical laboratory parameters. The adverse event profile was similar for both treatment groups and neither treatment caused clinically relevant laboratory abnormalities. Atorvastatin 10 and 20 mg once daily is superior to pravastatin 20 and 40 mg once daily in treating patients with hypercholesterolemia.
authors.affiliation: Ospedali Civili Riuniti, Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bertolini
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Bon
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farnier
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Langan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mahla
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pauciullo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sirtori
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Egros
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fayyad
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Nawrocki
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D017035:Pravastatin