Long-Term Results of Lovastatin Therapy in Hypercholesterolemic Patients

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of lovastatin therapy continued for 1 year on hypercholesterolemic patients. 44 patients with total cholesterol (TC) levels over 240 mg/dl and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels over 160 mg/dl after 3 months of dietary restriction were studied. Lovastatin was given 20 mg as a single dose in the evening. The dose of the drug was increased up to 40 mg in 22 and to 60 mg in 2 patients. TC, LDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), trigliceride (TG) values were detected, TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C values were determined at first after the diet, then in the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th months. The mean values from 3rd to 12th months were compared with the baseline values. The mean decrease was 29 % in TC, 40 % in LDL-C, 46 % in LDL-C/HDL-C and 44 % in TC/HDL-C values at the end of the 1st year when compared with the baseline values (all significant). The decline in these parameters were striking in the 3rd month and also continued up to 12th month. HDL-C mean level increased 9 % at the end of the 1st year (p<0.02). The decrease in TG mean level was 26 % at the end of the 1st year (P<0.02). SGOT and SGPT levels rose to 1.5 times the upper Iimits of normal in 2 (5 %) patients in whom the drug was discontinued. As a result we concluded that lovastatin decreased the mean values of TC, LDL-C, TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C significantly after the 3rd month and it preserved its effect up to 12th month. It also effected TG and HDL-C mean Ievels, but Iess than the former values. The drug seems to be safe with respect to side effects.