Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 30, 2026
Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
Published on: November 10, 2017
Efficacy and safety of atorvastatin 10 mg every other day in hypercholesterolemia
Chumpol Piamsomboon1, Prasart Laothavorn, Sopon Saguanwong
1Department of Medicine, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand.
Insights
Atorvastatin 10 mg every other day effectively lowers high cholesterol, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-c, in hypercholesterolemia patients. This dosing regimen demonstrates good safety and may be a cost-effective option.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Statins effectively reduce cardiovascular events but are costly.
- Atorvastatin, a potent statin with a long half-life, presents a potential for alternative dosing strategies.
- Exploring cost-effective hypercholesterolemia management is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and efficacy of administering atorvastatin every other day.
- To evaluate the impact of alternate-day atorvastatin on lipid profiles in hypercholesterolemia patients.
Main Methods:
- Sixty hypercholesterolemia patients received atorvastatin 10 mg every other day for 8 weeks.
- Lipid profiles (TC, TG, LDL-c, HDL-c) were measured at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks.
- Adverse events were monitored throughout the study period.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions observed in total cholesterol (23%), triglycerides (8%), and LDL-c (30%) compared to baseline.
- No statistically significant increase in HDL-c levels was noted.
- Three patients experienced mild side effects: elevated transaminase, elevated muscle enzyme, and somnolence.
Conclusions:
- Alternate-day atorvastatin (10 mg) is a safe and effective strategy for managing hypercholesterolemia.
- This regimen successfully lowers key lipid parameters (TC, TG, LDL-c) with a minor increase in HDL-c.
- The findings suggest potential for cost-effective lipid management in hypercholesterolemia.
Objectives:
The authors sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of atorvastatin administered every other day in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
Background:
Statins have efficacy in lowering cholesterol and reducing cardiovascular events but their cost is a major disadvantage. Atorvastatin is the most potent statin and has a long half-life. Therefore, atorvastatin given on alternate days may be reasonable and cost effective, particularly in hypercholesterolemia patients.
Method And Result:
Sixty patients with hypercholesterolemia despite diet therapy were enrolled into the study. They received atorvastatin 10 mg every other day before bedtime. Duration of treatment was 8 weeks. A lipid profile was determined as baseline, at 4 weeks and again at 8 weeks. Atorvastatin every other day significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and LDL-c versus baseline. The TC, TG, and LDL-c levels were lower by 23 per cent, 8 per cent, and 30 per cent. Increase in HDL-c level was not statistically significant. Three patients had drug side effects. One patient had increased serum transaminase and one patient had increased serum muscle enzyme. The other one had somnolence.
Conclusions:
In hypercholesterolemia patients, atorvastatin 10 mg every other day is safe and effective in lowering TC, TG, with LDL-c and a slight increase in HDL-c.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism
01:29Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Considering cholesterol and...
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:27Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care