Pravastatin vs. Simvastatin in Lipid-regulating Efficacy and Safety

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Pravastatin versus Simvastatin in downregulating low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) and upregulating high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C).METHODS: A total of 66 patients with hypercholesterolemia were enrolled: 33 were randomly assigned to receive Pravastatin(40 mg) for 6 weeks,and another 33 to receive Simvastatin(40 mg) for 6 weeks.Serum lipid levels at baseline and 6 weeks after medication were measured.The primary effective indicator was LDL-C as compared with baseline value and the secondary effective indicator was HDL-C.Safety was evaluated based on laboratory data and clinical adverse reactions.RESULTS: Both Pravastatin and Simvastatin significantly decreased LDL-C level,showing significant differences as compared with before medication(P0.05),and HDL-C was slightly increased by either Pravastatin or Simvastatin,but the difference was not significant(P0.05).Less adverse drug reactions were noted in both groups.CONCLUSION: Pravastatin and Simvastatin were equivalent in lipid-regulatory effect and both were well-tolerated.