Efficacy and safety of simvastatin in treatment of hyperlipidemia in elder patients

[Objective] To evaluate the efficacy and safety of simvastatin in hyperlipidemia of elder patients, especially in hypercholesterolemia. [Methods] 58 elder patients with hyperlipidemia were treated with simvastatin 20 mg/d, serum lipids, blood routine, urine routine, liver function, kidney function and CK were measured once every 3 months during at least two years. [Results] The simvastatin has reduced the levels of total cholesterol(TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) and triglycerides(TG) in average 26.30%, 28.63% and 16.38% respectively. The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was elevated in average 8.16%. The adverse reactions of simvastatin were not obvious during the follow-up. [Conclusions] Simvastatin significantly reduces TC and LDL-C, reduces TG and slightly increases HDL-C. A good safety was observed after long time application of simvastatin.