Korean J Intern Med.  2009 Sep;24(3):233-237. 10.3904/kjim.2009.24.3.233.

The Efficacy and Safety of Ezetimibe and Low-Dose Simvastatin as a Primary Treatment for Dyslipidemia in Renal Transplant Recipients

• Yoon HE
• Song JC
• Hyoung BJ
• Hwang HS
• Lee SY
• Jeon YJ
• Choi BS
• Kim YS
• Yang CW

• KMID: 1717947
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2009.24.3.233

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
The efficacy and safety of a combination of ezetimibe and low-dose statin as primary treatment for dyslipidemia in renal transplant patients were evaluated prospectively. METHODS: The study enrolled 77 renal transplant recipients with dyslipidemia. They were given ezetimibe (10 mg) and simvastatin (10 mg) for 6 months as the initial treatment for dyslipidemia. Efficacy and safety were evaluated using lipid profiles, trough calcineurin inhibitor levels, allograft function, and adverse effects. The effects on proteinuria and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were also evaluated. RESULTS: Ezetimibe and low-dose simvastatin significantly decreased the levels of total cholesterol (34.6%), triglyceride (16.0%), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (47.6%), and 82.5% of the patients reached the target LDL-C level of <100 mg/dL. No significant change in the trough calcineurin inhibitor levels or allograft function occurred, and no serious adverse effects were observed. Fourteen patients (18.2%) discontinued treatment; eight patients (11.7%) developed muscle pain or weakness without an increase in creatinine kinase levels, and two patients (2.6%) developed elevated liver transaminase levels. The proteinuria and hsCRP levels did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Ezetimibe and low-dose statin treatment is safe and effective as a primary treatment for dyslipidemia in renal transplant patients.

Keyword

Ezetimibe; Statin; Dyslipidemias; Kidney transplantation

MeSH Terms

Adult
Azetidines/*administration & dosage/adverse effects
C-Reactive Protein/analysis
Cholesterol, LDL/blood
Dyslipidemias/blood/*drug therapy
Female
Humans
Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/*administration & dosage
*Kidney Transplantation
Male
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
Simvastatin/*administration & dosage/adverse effects