Abstract | BACKGROUND/AIM: METHOD: A single center open label prospective observational study was performed assessing tolerability and efficacy of low-dose simvastatin treatment in 35 statin-intolerant patients. Statin intolerance was defined as not being able to tolerate a registered dose statin due to myalgia- myopathy, myositis, or elevation of serum liver enzyme levels. These statin-intolerant patients were treated with simvastatin with an initial dose of 2.5mg every other day. The dose was titrated upwards if possible. Tolerability was defined as remaining on treatment. Efficacy was defined as change of LDL-cholesterol compared to baseline. RESULTS: The reached simvastatin dose ranged from 0.825 to 8.75mg/day with a mean dose of 4mg/day. Fifty-seven percent of the patients tolerated low-dose therapy and remained on treatment. Of these patients, 30% noted recurrent myalgia. Low-dose simvastatin significantly decreased mean(SD) LDL-cholesterol levels with 25.9(12.1)% (p<0.001). Eleven percent of the patients reached LDL-cholesterol target levels (<2.6mmol/l) in an intention to treat analysis and in 20% of patients that tolerated low-dose simvastatin. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | L E Degreef, F L Opdam, I M Teepe-Twiss, J W Jukema, H J Guchelaar, J T Tamsma |
Journal | European journal of internal medicine
(Eur J Intern Med)
Vol. 21
Issue 4
Pg. 293-6
(Aug 2010)
ISSN: 1879-0828 [Electronic] Netherlands |
PMID | 20603038
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Cholesterol, LDL
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
- Hypolipidemic Agents
- Triglycerides
- Cholesterol
- Simvastatin
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Topics |
- Cholesterol
(blood)
- Cholesterol, LDL
(blood)
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Female
- Humans
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Hypercholesterolemia
(drug therapy)
- Hypolipidemic Agents
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Simvastatin
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Triglycerides
(blood)
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