A comparison of fluvastatin 40 mg every other day versus 20 mg every day in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of fluvastatin administered every other day versus an equivalent dose given daily in patients with hypercholesterolemia.


METHODS
Randomized, nonblinded, crossover study.


METHODS
Veterans Affairs Medical Center.


METHODS
Twenty-three patients with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels above 160 mg/dl despite diet therapy


METHODS
Patients received fluvastatin 40 mg every other day or 20 mg/day, all doses taken at bedtime. Each treatment arm was 6 weeks in duration.


RESULTS
A lipid profile was determined at baseline and after each regimen. Both regimens significantly lowered total cholesterol and LDL versus baseline. The LDL levels were lowered by 24% and 21% by fluvastatin 20 mg/day and 40 mg every other day, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in lipid components between regimens.


CONCLUSIONS
Fluvastatin 40 mg every other day is effective in lowering total cholesterol and LDL in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
Pharmacy Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Prescott, Arizona 86313, USA.
J P
JP
Rindone
D
D
Hiller
G
G
Arriola
D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007211:Indoles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000139:chemically induced
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D007211:Indoles; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D002784:Cholesterol