Results of a multicenter controlled study of a hypolipidemic drug polycosanol in Russia

Aim. To compare efficacy and tolerance of polycosanol vs besafibrate in pat ients with hypercholesterolemia (HCE). Material and methods. A multicenter controlled double blind randomised tria l entered 113 patents with HCE. After 5 weeks of diet the patients were ran domised into two groups. 59 patients of group 1 received polycosanol (10 mg /day), 54 patients of group 2 were given besafibrate (400 mg/day) for 8 wee ks. Results. The 8-week course of treatment was completed by 103 patients (91%) : 57(97%) patients of group 1 and 46(85%) patients of group 2. In group 1 t otal cholesterol diminished by an average of 15%, LDLP cholesterol fell by 18%, triglycerides by 15%, while in group 2 a respective decrease was 8, 11 and 6%. Side effects in group 1 were mild. Conclusion. A hypolipidemic effect of polycosanol in a daily dose 10 mg is superior to that of besafibrate in a daily dose 400 mg.