Daily dosing versus alternate-day dosing of simvastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of daily simvastatin administration with that of alternate-day therapy at double the daily dose.


METHODS
Nonrandomized, before-after comparison trial.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic of a Veterans Affairs medical center.


METHODS
Fifteen men with hyperlipidemia.


METHODS
The simvastatin regimen for patients with a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) level at their established National Cholesterol Education Program goal was converted from daily dosing to double the daily dose given every other day for 8 weeks.


RESULTS
Baseline laboratory values were obtained for patients receiving daily simvastatin therapy After 8 weeks of alternate-day therapy, follow-up laboratory values were obtained and assessed for efficacy and toxicity. The LDL-lowering effect of the daily dosing regimen was compared with that of the alternate-day dosing regimen. Paired t tests were computed to compare LDL concentrations before and after the study using a 95% confidence interval. No statistically significant difference was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Alternate-day dosing of simvastatin may be an effective alternative to daily dosing.
Copher
Heather R
HR
Department of Pharmacy, Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Florida 33744, USA.
Stewart
Robert D
RD
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D017046:Cost Savings; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012307:Risk Factors; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019821:Simvastatin