The effects of combination therapy with niceritrol and pravastatin on hyperlipidaemia.
In the present study, we evaluated the effects of combination therapy with niceritrol and pravastatin in patients with hyperlipidaemia. A total of 62 patients with hyperlipidaemia, defined as total cholesterol levels above 220 mg/dl or triglyceride levels above 150 mg/dl, were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups: Group N received initial therapy with niceritrol 750-1500 mg/day, and those in Group P, pravastatin 10 mg/day. After 8 weeks, pravastatin 10 mg/day was added to the Group N treatment regimen for a further 8 weeks, while patients in Group P were given niceritrol 750-1500 mg/day in addition to pravastatin for 8 weeks. After the 8-week combination therapy study period, total cholesterol levels were 209.6 mg/dl in Group N and 220.7 mg/dl in Group P. Decreased triglyceride and lipoprotein(a) levels and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, neither of which were achieved by pravastatin administration alone, were achieved with the combination of pravastatin and niceritrol. We conclude that when a single lipid-lowering drug fails to show therapeutic value, attempting combination therapy with a nicotinic acid preparation and a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statin) is worthwhile.
Kinoshita
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. makkino@med.teikyo-u.ac.jp
Mikuni
Y
Y
Kudo
M
M
Mori
M
M
Horie
E
E
Teramoto
T
T
Matsushima
T
T
D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009531:Niceritrol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D009531:Niceritrol; D017035:Pravastatin