Long-term use of lovastatin in different types of hyperlipidaemia

Abstract

Abstract Groups of patients with various forms of familial or non-familial hypercholesterolaemia who had participated in short-term trials comparing lovastatin and probucol, entered an open 5-year follow-up study during which they received lovastatin alone or in combination with colestipol. The results indicated that the total and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol lowering effect of lovastatin was maintained and, to some degree, improved during prolonged administration. Moreover, in all patient groups the increments in high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol were higher after 5 years than after short-term studies. Equal reductions in LDL-cholesterol were produced in familial hypercholesterolaemia, non-familial hypercholesterolaemia and mixed hyperlipidaemia. Although treatment goals were met in the majority of patients, further development of drug regimens is needed for certain subgroups of patients: that is, familial hypercholesterolaemia patients with very high serum cholesterol levels and patients with mixed hyperlipidaemia.