Effects of synvinolin (MK-733) on plasma lipids in familial hypercholesterolaemia

The effects of synvinolin (MK-733), a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, were investigated in 43 patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study. Synvinolin was given in doses ranging from 2.5 mg to 80 mg per day for 4 weeks. 8 patients received placebo. Low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol fell on average by 18% on 2.5 mg/day and 42% on 80 mg/day. The drug was as effective whether it was given once or twice daily. Serum high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol tended to increase and serum triglycerides to decrease on the higher doses. The drug was tolerated well. Except for a slight rise in alanine aminotransferase in 3 patients no objective side-effects were observed.