Efficacy and safety of policosanol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia to examine the effects of policosanol on plasma lipids and lipoproteins. After adhering to a cholesterol-lowering diet for 6 weeks, 56 patients were randomized to receive placebo or policosanol 5 mg once daily in the evening for 8 weeks. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly, by an average of 13.1% and 17.7%, respectively. No significant changes were observed for triglycerides, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. No significant differences in clinical and biochemical safety indicators were seen in the treated patients compared with those receiving placebo. There were no adverse effects attributable to treatment, and no patient was withdrawn from the trial. These data indicate that policosanol therapy is effective and very well tolerated.