Zeitschrift für metabolisches Syndrom

Effects of Atorvastatin and Niacin, Alone and in Combination, On Lowering Serum LDL-Cholesterol and Lipoprotein (a) in Hyperlipidemia Patients

Abstract

Jhuma KA, Giasuddin ASM, Haq AMM, Huque MM and Mahmood N

Background & objectives: Effects of statins on serum lipids in hyperlipidemia are not well defined. We compared the effects of atorvastatin and niacin, alone and combination, on lowering serum LDL-C and Lp (a) and increasing HDL-C in hyperlipidemia patients.

Patients and methods: A total of 150 adult patients (Group-A) with hyperlipidemia and 100 normal adults controls (Group-B) were included in the study. The fasting blood samples were taken and serum (I°) were stored frozen until analysed for TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and Lp (a). The 50 patients (Group A1) were prescribed Atorvastatin (10 mg once daily for 3 months), 50 patients (Group A2) were prescribed Niacin (50 mg twice daily for 3 months) and 50 patients (Group A3) were prescribed combination of the two drugs with same doses for 3 months. Blood samples were taken again at follow up and serum (II°) was stored frozen until analysed for lipids by biochemical methods.

Results: Lipid parameters (mg/dl), i.e. TG, TC, LDL-C, & Lp(a), were raised and HDL-C was reduced in patients (Group-A) compared to controls (Group-B); Atovastatin (10 mg/ day) and Niacin (50 mg/2day) significantly lowered TG,TC, LDL-C & Lp(a) and raised HDL-C in Group A1 and Group A2 respectively; Combination therapy (atorvastatin: 10 mg/day + Niacin : 50 mg*2/day) was much more effective in lowering TG, TC, LDL-C & LP(a) and raising HDL-C in Group A3.

Conclusions: The effects of combination therapy of the two drugs were much higher than their effects alone and therefore, can be adopted in hyperlipidemia patients.