[Efficacy and safety of simvastatin, a new cholesterol-lowering drug]

The effects of simvastatin, an inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis, was studied in 50 patients with hypercholesterolaemia. In the first study, 24 patients with serum cholesterol levels of 10.74 +/- 1.59 mmol/l were treated with simvastatin 40 mg daily for 6 months. Serum cholesterol levels decreased within 4 to 8 weeks to stable values 30 to 36% below the basal value. Serum triglycerides decreased by 16 to 28% and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased by 6 to 11% on average. In the second study, 26 patients with serum cholesterol levels of 12.35 +/- 2.05 mmol/l were treated with simvastatin 40 mg daily as monotherapy or combined with a bile acid binding resin for 2 years. Cholesterol levels decreased to values which remained stable throughout the entire study period; after 2 years the decrease amounted to 43%. Compared with monotherapy, combination with a bile acid binding resin yielded a further 12% decrease of cholesterol. In the entire group, triglycerides decreased by 16% and HDL cholesterol increased by 9% on the average. Side effects were limited to slight increases in alanine aminotransferase and creatine phosphokinase occurring in some patients. Simvastatin appears to be an important asset in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia.