Low‐dose combination therapy with colesevelam hydrochloride and lovastatin effectively decreases low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia

Summary BdCqrowid: Colesevelam hydrochloride is a novel, lipidlowering agent that binds bile acids with high afiinity. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-design study was conducted to assess the efficacy and tolerability of combination low-dose colesevelam and lovastatin treatment in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. Hypothesis: Combination therapy with low doses of colesevelam and lovastatin decreases low density (LDL) cholesterol with minimal adverse events. Mef/iodT: Following a 4- to 6-week dietary lead in, 135 patients were randomized into five groups for a4-week treatment period: placebo, colesevelam 2.3 gat dinner, lovastatin 10 mg at dinner. the combination of colesevelam and lovastatin given at dinner (dosed together), and combination treatment with colesevelam given at dinner and lovastatin administered at bedtime (dosed apart). Resrilts: Combination colesevelam and lovastatin treatment decreased LDL cholesterol by 34% (60 mg/dl, p < 0.0001) and 32% (53 nig/dl, p colesevelam and lovastatin were dosed together or dosed apart. respectively. Both combi