The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7222 p636
2 November 2002

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New data supports rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin (Crestor) is more effective at reducing low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in patients with cardiovascular risk factors than atorvastatin, simvastatin and pravastatin, researchers say.

In a trial of 2,161 patients, lead researcher Professor Richard Hobbs, University of Birmingham, found that 81 per cent of high-risk patients (n=314) and 85 per cent of low-risk patients (n=75) taking rosuvastatin 10mg achieved their LDL cholesterol goal compared with 49 per cent (n=327) and 64 per cent (n=66), respectively, for patients taking atorvastatin. Rosuvastatin was also found to be more effective in both risk categories when compared with simvastatin and pravastatin.

Professor Hobbs, concludes: "It is likely that the greater intrinsic activity of rosuvastatin at starting doses will reduce the need for dose titration to achieve target levels, so improving the efficiency and convenience of this treatment across the range of patients requiring statin therapy."

In another study of 1,245 patients, Dr Anthony Wierzbicki, St Thomas' Hospital, London, and colleagues found that treatment with rosuvastatin for 12 weeks improves lipid profiles in patients with hypercholesterolaemia regardless of base-line high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. "Individuals with low base-line HDL cholesterol appear to gain particular benefit," they say.

Rosuvastatin is being developed by AstraZeneca. Data were presented at the Primary Care Cardiovascular Society annual meeting in Cardiff last month.