Effect of splitting simvastatin tablets for control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
The efficacy, safety, and economics of a voluntary conversion from whole simvastatin tablets to split tablets in 6 Veterans Affairs medical centers were retrospectively evaluated in 3,787 patients who received a consistent daily dose (5 to 40 mg) of simvastatin in 1999. Baseline and final low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and average change from baseline were not significantly different between groups (p >0.05), nor were the incidence of transaminase increases (p >0.05) or measurements of patient compliance (p = 0.07). Widespread implementation of this initiative resulted in a cost avoidance of >$1.2 million in the 6 medical centers and $10.3 million across the Veterans Affairs medical system in 1999, with >$46 million avoided in 2003.
Parra
David
D
Section of Clinical Pharmacy, Patient Support Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, West Palm Beach, Florida 33410-6400, USA. david.parra@med.va.gov
Beckey
Nick P
NP
Raval
Harsha S
HS
Schnacky
Kimberly R
KR
Calabrese
Vincent
V
Coakley
Roy W
RW
Goodhope
Robert C
RC
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D013607:Tablets; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D013607:Tablets; D019821:Simvastatin