A randomized, double-blind comparison of cerivastatin and lovastatin for treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia.
BACKGROUND
The efficacy and safety of the new statin, cerivastatin, in the Chinese patients with primary hypercholesterolemia remains to be determined.


METHODS
In this prospective, double-blind, parallel-group study, patients with primary hypercholesterolemia were randomized to treatment with cerivastatin, 0.3 mg (n = 21) or lovastatin, 20 mg (n = 22), for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was percentage change of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from baseline. The secondary efficacy variables were percentage change of total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. RESULTS.:Both cerivastatin and lovastatin effectively reduced LDL cholesterol (-33.2% vs. -29.3%, p = 0.63), total cholesterol (-25% vs. -20%, p = 0.10), and triglycerides (-21% vs. -14%,p = 0.27) (all p < 0.0001 for comparison with baseline), and slight increased HDL cholesterol (+2% vs. +8%, p = 0.008) over the 8-week treatment period. The LDL cholesterol responsive rates according to the recommendations from the National Cholesterol Educational Panel (NCEP) were 43% and 32% for cerivastatin and lovastatin, respectively. The adverse event profiles of cerivastatin and lovastatin were similar.


CONCLUSIONS
Cerivastatin 0.3 mg once daily is as effective and safe as lovastatin 20 mg once daily in lowering LDL and total cholesterol in Chinese patients with primary hypercholesterolemia.
Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
Wen-Chung
WC
Yu
Chen-Huan
CH
Chen
Husan-Ming
HM
Tsao
Yu-An
YA
Ding
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines; D014280:Triglycerides; D008148:Lovastatin; C086276:cerivastatin