Efficacy and tolerability of once-weekly rosuvastatin in patients with previous statin intolerance
Journal of Clinical Lipidology, 07/26/2011  Clinical Article

Kennedy SP et al. – Once–weekly low–dose rosuvastatin is an effective and well–tolerated lipid–lowering therapy option for patients not at low–density lipoprotein (LDL) goal and previously unable to tolerate statins because of a history of myalgias.

• In this randomized, double–blind, placebo–controlled crossover study
• Authors enrolled total of 17 Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care patients with a diagnosis of hyperlipidemia and a history of myalgias on statin therapy who were not currently on a statin and not at LDL goal
• Two 8–week treatment phases consisted of rosuvastatin 5 mg once–weekly or matching placebo, with a dose titration to 10 mg once–weekly if not at LDL goal at week 4
• The primary efficacy outcome was the difference in the mean percentage change in LDL from baseline between rosuvastatin and placebo

• A significant difference in the mean percentage change in LDL from baseline for rosuvastatin vs. placebo was identified (12.2% reduction vs. 0.4% reduction, respectively; P = .002)
• 2 of 17 patients (11.8%) in placebo treatment phase and 3 of 15 patients (20%) in rosuvastatin treatment phase experienced myalgias requiring cessation of therapy
• 3 patients (20%) were able to attain LDL goal on rosuvastatin compared with zero patients (0%) on placebo