[The characteristics of the hypolipidemic effect of Mevacor with its permanent multiyear use]

Changes in blood lipids were assessed in the course of 4 years in 29 patients with cholesterol (CS) levels at least 300 mg/dl (hyperlipidemia). Of these, 20 received mevacor, 9 were controls. Taking mevacor in a dose 20-40 mg/day for 6 months reduced CS in the study group by 20% and by 10% more within the next 6 months. CS in controls changed unnoticeably. Lowering of the dose to 10-20 mg/day or mevacor discontinuation at the moment CS fell to 250 mg/dl or greater did not entail a rerise of total blood CS within subsequent 4-6 months.