A comparative study of the therapeutic effect of probucol and pravastatin on xanthelasma

We examined and compared the effects of probucol and pravastatin on the regression of xanthelasma. Thirty-six cases treated by probucol and 18 cases by pravastatin were evaluated for 12 months. Thirteen of the 36 cases treated with probucol showed regression of xanthelasma. However, one of the 18 cases treated with pravastatin showed regression. These data were statistically significantly. The average total cholesterol value in both groups decreased during drug therapy. However, the average of HDL-cholesterol values in the probucol treatment group showed significant decreases, but those in the pravastatin treatment group did not. We discussed the mechanisms of the two drugs on the regression of xanthelasma and the mechanisms of development of xanthelasma.