To study the effect of high dose Atorvastatin 40mg versus 80mg in patients with dyslipidemia

Indian Heart J. 2018 Dec;70 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):S8-S12. doi: 10.1016/j.ihj.2018.01.034. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

Abstract

Objective: Primary objective was to compare the effects of atorvastatin 40mg vs 80mg on LDL-C in Indian patients with atherosclerotic dyslipidemia. Secondary objectives were to compare the effects of atorvastatin 40mg vs 80mg on HDL-C and triglycerides and also comparing of side effects (myopathy, hepatotoxicity and new onset diabetes mellitus) of both doses.

Method: This Study is A Prospective, randomized, open-label, comparative study. This study was conducted on 240 patients of dyslipidemia (as per ACC/AHA 2013 lipid guidelines) attending the OPD/wards/CCU of department of cardiology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. They were randomly divided into 2 groups of 120 each. Group A consisted patients who received Atorvastatin 40mg daily and Group B Atorvastatin 80mg daily. The follow up period was 6 months.

Results: At 3 and 6 month follow up, Atorvastatin 40mg leads to mean LDL cholesterol reduction of 47.18±20.81 & 50.03±18.06 respectively. While Atorvastatin 80mg results in LDL reduction as 50.11±15.85 & 52.30±13.72. The comparison between two doses revealed a non-significant difference (p=.118 & p=.149 respectively). At 6 months of follow up, few patients reported myalgia (2 in group A and 7 in Group B). The difference between groups was significant (p=.045). Although none of our patient had significant elevation of CPK.

Conclusion: This study concluded that both doses of atorvastatin (40 & 80mg) are equally efficacious in improving dyslipidemia but higher dose leads to more incidence of myalgia.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Atorvastatin; Dyslipidemia; Myalgia.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Atorvastatin / administration & dosage*
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood*
  • Cholesterol, LDL / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Dyslipidemias / blood
  • Dyslipidemias / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Atorvastatin