Results of the multicenter controlled study of the hypolipidemic drug polycosanol in Russia

AIM: To compare efficacy and tolerance of polycosanol vs besafibrate in patients with hypercholesterolemia (HCE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicenter controlled double blind randomised trial entered 113 patients with HCE. After 5 weeks of diet the patients were randomised into two groups. 59 patients of group 1 received polycosanol (10 mg/day), 54 patients of group 2 were given besafibrate (400 mg/day) for 8 weeks. RESULTS: The 8-week course of treatment was completed by 103 patients (91%): 57(97%) patients of group 1 and 46(85%) patients of group 2. In group 1 total cholesterol diminished by an average of 15%, LDLP cholesterol fell by 18%, triglycerides by 15%, while in group 2 a respective decrease was 8, 11 and 6%. Side effects in group 1 were mild. CONCLUSION: A hypolipidemic effect of polycosanol in a daily dose 10 mg is superior to that of besafibrate in a daily dose 400 mg.