Therapeutic use of lovastatin in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

: The present review discusses the mechanism of action, efficacy, safety profile, and potential uses of lovastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Data on the efficacy of lovastatin are evaluated in different patient populations; also, the efficacy of this agent in the long-term treatment of patients followed by the author is presented. No new safety concerns have emerged during long-term treatment of selected patients with lovastatin, and, in compliant patients, hypolipidemic effects are maintained during continuous treatment with therapy that exceeds 5 years. On the basis of available data, lovastatin should be regarded as one of the drugs of first choice in the treatment of adult patients with hypercholesterolemia and increased plasma concentrations of low-density lipoproteins.