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Effects of low-dose atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on plasma lipid profiles: a long-term, randomized, open-label study
Fabio Mazza1, Claudia Stefanutti, Serafina Di Giacomo
1Department of Clinical and Medical Therapy, University of Rome La Sapienza, Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy. fabio.ma2003@tiscali.it
Insights
Rosuvastatin 10 mg daily significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) more than atorvastatin 20 mg daily in patients with hypercholesterolemia. This study highlights rosuvastatin
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Many patients on statins do not reach target LDL-C levels.
- High statin doses may cause adverse effects and reduce compliance.
- Comparing low-dose rosuvastatin and atorvastatin is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of low-dose rosuvastatin (10 mg/day) versus atorvastatin (20 mg/day) in reducing LDL-C.
- To evaluate the effects of these statins on other atherogenic lipid profile components.
- To assess safety and tolerability in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia.
Main Methods:
- A 48-week randomized, parallel-group, open-label clinical study.
- 106 patients with LDL-C >200 mg/dL were enrolled.
- Group A received rosuvastatin 10 mg/day (n=52), Group B received atorvastatin 20 mg/day (n=54).
Main Results:
- Rosuvastatin 10 mg/day achieved a significantly greater LDL-C reduction (-44.32%) compared to atorvastatin 20 mg/day (-30%) (p < 0.005).
- Rosuvastatin also showed superior reductions in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-HDL-C (p < 0.005).
- High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were not significantly affected by either drug.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose rosuvastatin (10 mg/day) is more effective than atorvastatin (20 mg/day) for LDL-C reduction in hypercholesterolemia.
- Rosuvastatin facilitates achieving lipid goals and improves overall lipid profiles.
- Both medications were well-tolerated over the 48-week study period.
Background And Objective:
Despite the favorable effects of reduction of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in decreasing the risk of coronary heart disease, many patients treated with lipid-lowering HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) do not achieve goal LDL-C levels. This may be due to high doses of statins prescribed that could potentially induce adverse effects and compromise patient safety and compliance with considerable expense in the long-term. We compared the actions of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin, administered at the low dosages of 10 and 20 mg/day, respectively, in reducing plasma LDL-C levels and their effects on other components of the atherogenic lipid profile in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia.
Methods:
In this randomized, parallel group, open-label clinical study, 106 patients with LDL-C >200 mg/dL were treated with rosuvastatin 10 mg/day (group A; n = 52), or atorvastatin 20 mg/day (group B; n = 54) for 48 weeks.
Results:
At 48 weeks, rosuvastatin 10 mg/day was associated with a significantly greater reduction in plasma LDL-C levels compared with atorvastatin 20 mg/day (-44.32% vs -30%; p < 0.005). Compared with atorvastatin, rosuvastatin also produced a greater reduction in plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels (p < 0.005). Plasma HDL-C levels were not affected significantly, independent of the drug used.
Conclusion:
In high-risk patients with primary hypercholesterolemia, rosuvastatin 10 mg/day was more efficacious than atorvastatin 20 mg/day in reducing plasma LDL-C levels, enabling goal LDL-C levels to be achieved and improving other lipid parameters. Both treatments were well tolerated over 48 weeks.
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