Comparison of therapeutic effect of different dosages of simvastatin on patients with hyperlipoidemia

Objective: To evaluate lipid-lowering effect of a large dose(20 mg/d) of simvastatin and compare it with that of small dose (5 mg/d) of simvastatin. Methods: Eighty patients were randomized to two groups. Simvastatin dosage was 20 mg/d for group A and 5 mg/d for group B. The follow-up period was 6 weeks. Blood lipids were determined before and after the study. Liver function and creatine phosphate kinase concentration were also determined. Results: Group A had a more marked lipid-lowering effect than group B. The target-reaching rate in group A was 70%, which was much higher than that in group B(23%). There was no severe liver dysfunction or myopathy in both groups. The incidence of other drug adverse effect was quite low, and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Simvastatin 20 mg/d is more effective than 5 mg/d simvastatin, and can be used safely in clinical practice.