Ezetimibe And Twice-Weekly Atorvastatin Effective for Statin-Intolerant Patients

Ezetimibe plus twice-weekly atorvastatin is effective in high-risk patients intolerant to daily statin monotherapy, according to a new report. Dr. Vasilios G. Athyros from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece stated that,  "The growing number of patients treated with statins reveals a substantial number of patients intolerant to these drugs."  "The search for alternatives is very important, because this might apply to as many as 5 million people worldwide."

Dr. Athyros and associates investigated the contribution of ezetimibe alone or in combination with twice-weekly atorvastatin to the control of hypercholesterolemia in 54 high-risk patients intolerant to daily statin monotherapy.

Only 5 of 54 patients treated for 3 months with ezetimibe monotherapy were at their LDL cholesterol targets, the authors report. Their mean LDL cholesterol declined by 20%.

The 54 patients then received ezetimibe plus atorvastatin 10 mg twice weekly for 6 months, after which 43 (77%) reached their LDL cholesterol target.

Serum creatinine levels were lower at the end of the 6-month treatment period than at baseline, the researchers note, although there was no change in creatinine level after the initial 3 months of ezetimibe monotherapy.

Dr. Athyros recommends safety monitoring of patients on this combination regimen monthly in the first 3 months and then every 3 months for 6 months and semi-annually thereafter.

"We should try to take advantage of the pharmacokinetics of a drug to make the most of its use, especially when side effects are involved," Dr. Athyros added.
Am J Cardiol  Feb 13, 2008;101:483-485.

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FACT:
FDA Approves Abbott’s FreeStyle Navigator® Continuous Glucose Monitoring System: New tool uniquely provides minute-by-minute and trend information for blood sugars.There are now 3 companies in the U.S. market with CGMS systems.  Designed to discretely and continuously measure glucose levels through a sensor in the back of the upper arm or abdomen, Abbott’s FreeStyle Navigator system provides information about which way and how quickly blood sugar levels are changing. This information can lead to proactive adjustments that can result in tighter glucose ranges. Before adjusting therapy for diabetes management based on the results traditional blood glucose tests still must be performed. The sensors are used for 5 days. The FreeStyle Navigator system will be available in the second quarter of 2008 by prescription only. It received CE Mark in June 2007 and has been available outside the United States since September 2007.