title: Alternate-day versus daily atorvastatin in coronary artery disease: a randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to compare the effect of alternate-day versus daily atorvastatin 10 mg, on serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and controlled serum LDL-C by daily atorvastatin.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was prospective, randomized, single-blinded, two-armed. Randomization was performed by a computer-generated randomization list. We randomized 60 patients with CAD and controlled serum LDL-C to receive either atorvastatin in the standard-dose of 10 mg daily (Group A=30 patients), or the same medication every other day (Group B=30 patients). Primary efficacy criterion included changes in serum LDL-C and hs-CRP from the initial to the 6-week follow-up values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 54.5±7.7 years, (70% males). LDL-C was significantly lower in Group A as compared with group B at 6-week follow-up (88±21 versus 105±26 mg/dl, respectively, p=0.008). Similarly, the mean percent increase of LDL-C from baseline to final assessment was significantly lower in Group A as compared with Group B (1.5±0.2 versus 32.8±6.2%, respectively, p<0.0001). However, the mean percent change of hs-CRP value was statistically similar between the two groups (p=0.108). Patients reported no side effects attributable to the medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current pilot study demonstrated that in patients with CAD who have achieved target LDL-C level, maintenance on alternate-day atorvastatin 10 mg was inferior to daily atorvastatin in keeping LDL-C below the target level; however, it produced a similar effect on hs-CRP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo-Egypt.
authors.forename: Osama
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rifaie
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zahran
authors.forename: Wail
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nammas
mesh_terms: D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000187:drug effects; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000069059:Atorvastatin