Effects of low-dose atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on plasma lipid profiles: a long-term, randomized, open-label study in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia

Am J Cardiovasc Drugs. 2008;8(4):265-70. doi: 10.2165/00129784-200808040-00006.

Abstract

Background and objective: Despite the favorable effects of reduction of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in decreasing the risk of coronary heart disease, many patients treated with lipid-lowering HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) do not achieve goal LDL-C levels. This may be due to high doses of statins prescribed that could potentially induce adverse effects and compromise patient safety and compliance with considerable expense in the long-term. We compared the actions of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin, administered at the low dosages of 10 and 20 mg/day, respectively, in reducing plasma LDL-C levels and their effects on other components of the atherogenic lipid profile in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia.

Methods: In this randomized, parallel group, open-label clinical study, 106 patients with LDL-C >200 mg/dL were treated with rosuvastatin 10 mg/day (group A; n = 52), or atorvastatin 20 mg/day (group B; n = 54) for 48 weeks.

Results: At 48 weeks, rosuvastatin 10 mg/day was associated with a significantly greater reduction in plasma LDL-C levels compared with atorvastatin 20 mg/day (-44.32% vs -30%; p < 0.005). Compared with atorvastatin, rosuvastatin also produced a greater reduction in plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels (p < 0.005). Plasma HDL-C levels were not affected significantly, independent of the drug used.

Conclusion: In high-risk patients with primary hypercholesterolemia, rosuvastatin 10 mg/day was more efficacious than atorvastatin 20 mg/day in reducing plasma LDL-C levels, enabling goal LDL-C levels to be achieved and improving other lipid parameters. Both treatments were well tolerated over 48 weeks.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Atorvastatin
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / drug effects
  • Female
  • Fluorobenzenes / adverse effects
  • Fluorobenzenes / pharmacology*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heptanoic Acids / adverse effects
  • Heptanoic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Hypercholesterolemia / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pyrimidines / adverse effects
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology*
  • Pyrroles / adverse effects
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology*
  • Rosuvastatin Calcium
  • Sulfonamides / adverse effects
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology*
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Fluorobenzenes
  • Heptanoic Acids
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrroles
  • Sulfonamides
  • Triglycerides
  • Rosuvastatin Calcium
  • Cholesterol
  • Atorvastatin