A comparison of fluvastatin 40 mg every other day versus 20 mg every day in patients with hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

Study objective: To assess the efficacy of fluvastatin administered every other day versus an equivalent dose given daily in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Design: Randomized, nonblinded, crossover study.

Setting: Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Patients: Twenty-three patients with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels above 160 mg/dl despite diet therapy

Intervention: Patients received fluvastatin 40 mg every other day or 20 mg/day, all doses taken at bedtime. Each treatment arm was 6 weeks in duration.

Measurements and main results: A lipid profile was determined at baseline and after each regimen. Both regimens significantly lowered total cholesterol and LDL versus baseline. The LDL levels were lowered by 24% and 21% by fluvastatin 20 mg/day and 40 mg every other day, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in lipid components between regimens.

Conclusion: Fluvastatin 40 mg every other day is effective in lowering total cholesterol and LDL in patients with hypercholesterolemia.