Published online Aug 31, 1993.
https://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.1993.23.4.614
Effect of Pravastatin Monotherapy in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia
Abstract
Background
HMG-CoA reductase is known as a rate limiting enzyme in the synthesis of cholesterol. We studied the clinical efficacy and the side effects of pravastatin, a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
Method
Ten miligrams of pravastatin was administered once daily for 8 weeks in twenty five patients(7 male, 18 female) with hypercholesterolemia(>240mg/dl). Compared with pretreatment levels, pravastatin significantly decreased levels of total cholesterol(286±22 versus 234±27mg/dl, p<0.005) by 19%LDL-cholesterol(176±40 versus 144±33mg/dl, p<0.005) by 23% with significantly decreased levels of total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio(5.5±2.0 versus 4.8±1.5, p<0.05) and LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio(3.4±1.2 versus 2.9±0.9, p<0.05). The level of HDL-cholesterol(52±17 versus 54±13mg/dl) and triglyceride(241±198 verus 178±111mg/dl) were not changed significantly. The side effects of pravastatin were mild and transient, including 1 case of headache, 1 dizziness, 1 facial flushing and 2 nausea. The laboratory tests including serum transaminases, uric acid, creatinine, creatine phosphokinase and blood glucose were not changed significant.
Conclusion
Pravastatin 10mg as a single daily dose is as effective and safe as 5mg two times a day in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
