Comparative effects of policosanol and two HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors ontype II hypercholesterolemia

Background: Policosanol is a new cholesterol lowering agent derived from su gar cane. Aim: To compare the cholesterol lowering efficacy of policosanol with HMG CoA inhibitors. Patients and methods: patients with a LDL choleste rol over 160 mg/dl were studied. If, after 6 weeks of diet, cholesterol per sisted elevated, they were doubly blind randomized to receive policosanol 1 0 mg/day (55 patients), lovastatin 20 mg/day (26 patients) or simvastatin 1 0 mg/day (25 patients). Serum cholesterol was measured again after 8 weeks of therapy. Results: Initial demographic and laboratory data were similar a mong treatment groups. A 24% LDL cholesterol reduction was obtained with po licosanol, compared with a 22% reduction with lovastatin and a 15% reductio n with simvastatin. HDL cholesterol significantly increased in patients on policosanol and did not change in the other treatment groups. Adverse effec ts of policosanol were mild and unspecific. No changes in hepatic enzymes w ere observed. Conclusions: Policosanol is a safe and effective cholesterol reducing agent.