Non-every day statin administration — A literature review
European Journal of Internal Medicine , 07/05/2012
Clinical Article
Elis A et al. – Atorvastatin or rosuvastatin on alternate days might be considered for patients who are intolerant to statin therapy.
Methods- The authors searched the MEDLINE databases to identify articles on non–every day statin administration, published between 1990 and January 2010.
- All publications regardless of methodology, design, size, or language were included.
- Data extracted included study design, duration and aims, type of statin, therapeutic regimen, patient characteristics, effectiveness, tolerability, and costs.
- The 21 retrieved articles were characterized by small sample size, short follow up period, and a preponderance of males and “primary” prevention cases.
- Several lacked randomization or a control group.
- The heterogeneity of the study groups, medications, doses, design and aims precluded a pooled or meta–analysis.
- The most reported and effective regimens were atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on alternate days.
- These regimens, with or without other lipid lowering agents, were well tolerated even among subjects with previous statin intolerance, and produced meaningful cost savings.
- Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these regimens on cardiovascular events was not clarified.
