Comparison between lovastatin and gemfibrozil in treatment of primary hyperlipidemias

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of lovastatin and gemfibrozil in patients with primary hyperlipidemias. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients with cholesterolemia over 200 mg/dl and triglyceridemia not higher than 350 mg/dl, excluded secondary causes, were selected. Twenty patients received lovastatin and 20 gemfibrozil. In order to establish the lipid profile, blood samples were taken after 2 months without medication, after 4 weeks of diet and placebo and after 6 and 12 weeks of active treatment. Biochemical profile was determined before and after the treatment with active drug. RESULTS: Thirty nine patients completed the study. Total and LDL-cholesterol were significantly reduced (p less than 0.05) by both drugs but lovastatin had greater effect. Only gemfibrozil reduced triglycerides significantly. Neither drug had significant effects on HDL-cholesterol. The tolerance was satisfactory; only one patient (using gemfibrozil) needed to stop the treatment due to gastrointestinal side effects. The biochemical profile did not present any significant alteration. CONCLUSION: Both drugs produced useful effects on the lipid profile. Lovastatin produced greater reductions of total and LDL-cholesterol, while gemfibrozil was more active reducing triglycerides. Neither drug changed significantly the HDL-cholesterol.