Combination therapy of low-dose atorvastatin and fenofibrate in mixed hyperlipidemia

Mixed hyperlipidemia is a major cause of coronary artery disease. Monotherapy with statins is considered the gold standard for treatment of mixed hyperlipidemia. But greater benefit may be expected by combination therapy. Combination may allow lower doses of statins and less adverse effects. Hence, this preliminary study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose atorvastatin in combination with fenofibrate in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia. Ninety patients were assigned into three groups and received atorvastatin (10-40 mg/day) or fenofibrate (160-200 mg/day) or combination of low-dose atorvastatin (5 mg/day) and fenofibrate (160 mg/day). There was a significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), and a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in all the groups at the end of therapy. Combination therapy produced maximum decrease in LDL, TG and TC, and maximum increase in HDL when compared with monotherapies. No significant difference was reported in safety profile between the two groups. To conclude, the results suggest that combination therapy with low-dose atorvastatin and fenofibrate is more efficacious, with no increase in adverse effects when compared with monotherapies with individual drugs for mixed hyperlipidemia. The results are preliminary and suggestive only, as the study was open and nonrandomized.