Efficacy and safety of pravastatin in hypertensive hypercholesterolaemic patients on antihypertensive drug therapy

Abstract

This double-blind, placebo-controlled, six month trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of pravastatin in hypercholesterolaemic, hypertensive patients on antihypertensive treatment, who on a standard lipid-lowering diet maintained a plasma total cholesterol level of at least 250 mg%. Fifty hypertensive patients were randomised to placebo or pravastatin treatment. Once daily dosing consisted of 10 mg pravastatin during the first month, 20 mg during the second month and 40 mg during an additional 4 months or matching placebos. Compared with placebo, pravastatin reduced (P < 0.001) the plasma level of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and phospholipids during the six month study period whereas plasma HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides did not change significantly. These changes in plasma lipids were independent of age and of the nature of the concomitant antihypertensive treatment. No serious side-effects were observed and pravastatin was generally well tolerated. In conclusion, pravastatin 10-40 mg once daily reduced plasma total and LDL-cholesterol in hypercholesterolaemic, hypertensive patients, independent of age and concurrent antihypertensive drug therapy.