Approximate equivalent rosuvastatin doses for temporary statin interchange programs.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate approximate doses of rosuvastatin equivalent to the other hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) for a temporary substitution program.


METHODS
A literature search was conducted to locate clinical trials directly comparing rosuvastatin with other statins that evaluated the magnitude of cholesterol lowering.


RESULTS
The mean low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol values from the clinical trials were assessed. Study results indicate that rosuvastatin is not equivalent to other statins on a milligram-to-milligram basis.


CONCLUSIONS
Rosuvastatin appears to be at least 2 and 4 times as potent as atorvastatin and simvastatin, respectively, and at least 8 times as potent as pravastatin and lovastatin.
Kendrach
Michael G
MG
Department of Pharmacy Practice; Samford University Global Drug Information Service, McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Samford University, Birmingham, AL 35229-7027, USA. mgkrendra@samford.edu
Kelly-Freeman
Maisha
M
D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005464:Fluorobenzenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency
D005464:Fluorobenzenes; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D011743:Pyrimidines; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium; D002784:Cholesterol