Effect of Pravastatin Monotherapy in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia

Kim, Han Soo; Lim, Sang Wook; Yoon, Young Sup; Chung, Nam Sik; Shim, Won Heum; Cho, Seung Yun; Kim, Sung Soon

Abstract

BACKGROUND
HMG-CoA reductase is known as a rate limiting enzyme in the synthesis of cholesterol. We studied the clinical efficacy and the side effects of pravastatin, a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, in patients with hypercholesterolemia. METHOD: Ten miligrams of pravastatin was administered once daily for 8 weeks in twenty five patients(7 male, 18 female) with hypercholesterolemia(>240mg/dl). Compared with pretreatment levels, pravastatin significantly decreased levels of total cholesterol(286+/-22 versus 234+/-27mg/dl, p<0.005) by 19%LDL-cholesterol(176+/-40 versus 144+/-33mg/dl, p<0.005) by 23% with significantly decreased levels of total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio(5.5+/-2.0 versus 4.8+/-1.5, p<0.05) and LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio(3.4+/-1.2 versus 2.9+/-0.9, p<0.05). The level of HDL-cholesterol(52+/-17 versus 54+/-13mg/dl) and triglyceride(241+/-198 verus 178+/-111mg/dl) were not changed significantly. The side effects of pravastatin were mild and transient, including 1 case of headache, 1 dizziness, 1 facial flushing and 2 nausea. The laboratory tests including serum transaminases, uric acid, creatinine, creatine phosphokinase and blood glucose were not changed significant. CONCLUSION: Pravastatin 10mg as a single daily dose is as effective and safe as 5mg two times a day in patients with hypercholesterolemia.