Cerivastain(LIPOBAY®) is recently developed HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor which is effective in lowering serum cholesterol levels at microgram does. We evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of cerivastatin(LIPOBAY®) in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Thirty-seven patients(male : 13, female : 24) with hypercholesteolemia defined as baseline serum total cholesterol ≥240mg/dl, or ≥220mg/dl in patients with known coronary artery disease were included for this study. After 2 weeks of low cholesterol diet, if the serum total choesterol level meet the criteria, cerivastain 0.4mg/day was prescribed for 8 weeks. Clinical follow-up and laboratory tests were performed 4 weeks and 8 weeks after medication.

After 4 weeks of cerivastain 0.4mg/day treatment, low density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol decreased 38% and total cholesterol decreased 28.8% from baseline. Triglyceride decreased 11.6%, and high density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol decreased 7.8% from baseline. Total cholesterol/HDL ratio decreased 20.8% and LDL/HDL ratio decreased 31.1% from baseline. After 8 weeks of treatment, no further significant changes were noted compared with the values at 4 weeks. Cervastatin was discontinued in one patient(2.7%) due to continuous liver enzyme elevation.

Cerivastatin 0.4mg/day is effective in lowering serum cholesterol levels without significant adverse reactions. Cerivastatin is effective and safe for patients with hypercholesterolemia who needs aggressive LDL cholesterol lowering.