Effects of policosanol in older patients with type II hypercholesterolemiaand high coronary risk

Background. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of policosanol in older patients with type II hypercholesterolemia and more th an one concomitant atherosclerotic risk factor. Methods. After 6 weeks on a lipid-lowering diet, 179 patients randomly rece ived a placebo or policosanol at doses of 5 followed by 10 mg per day for s uccessive 12-week periods of each dose. Policosanol (5 and 10 mg/d) signifi cantly (p < .001) reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; 16.98 and 24.4%, respectively) and total cholesterol (TC; 12.8% and 16.2%. respe ctively), while significantly (p < .01) increasing (p < .001) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) by 14.6% and 29.1%, respectively. Results. Policosanol significantly decreased (p < .01) the ratios of LDL-C to HDL-C (29.1%) and TC to HDL-C (28%) at study completion, although trigly cerides remained unchanged. Policosanol, but not the placebo, significantly improved (p .01) cardiovascular capacity, which was assessed using the Spe cific Activity Scale. No serious adverse experiences occurred in policosano l patients (p < .01), compared with seven adverse experiences (7.9%) report ed by placebo patients. Conclusions. This study shows that policosanol is effective, safe, and well tolerated in older hypercholesterolemic patients.