Efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin and fenofibric acid combination therapy versus simvastatin monotherapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia: a randomized, double-blind study.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fixed-dose combinations of rosuvastatin and fenofibric acid (rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid) compared with simvastatin in patients with high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG).

BACKGROUND

Combination therapy with a statin and a fibrate is one of the treatment options to manage multiple lipid abnormalities in patients with hypercholesterolemia and elevated TGs.

METHODS

In this randomized, double-blind study, patients (n = 474) with LDL-C > or =160 mg/dL and < or =240 mg/dL and TG > or =150 mg/dL and <400 mg/dL were treated for 8 weeks with simvastatin 40 mg, rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid 5 mg/135 mg, rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid 10 mg/135 mg, or rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid 20 mg/135 mg. Primary and secondary variables were mean percent changes in LDL-C comparing rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid 20 mg/135 mg with simvastatin 40 mg and rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid 10 mg/135 mg and rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid 5 mg/135 mg with simvastatin 40 mg, respectively. Additional efficacy variables included non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), apolipoprotein (Apo) B, HDL-C, TG, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Safety was evaluated based on data collected for adverse events (AEs), physical and electrocardiographic examinations, vital sign measurements, and clinical laboratory tests.

RESULTS

Significantly greater reductions in LDL-C levels from baseline values were observed with the combination of rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid 20 mg/135 mg (-47.2%, p < 0.001), rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid 10 mg/135 mg (-46.0%, p < 0.001), and rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid 5 mg/135 mg (-38.9%, p = 0.007) than with simvastatin 40 mg (-32.8%). Significant (p < or = 0.04 for all comparisons) improvements in non-HDL-C, ApoB, HDL-C, TG, and hsCRP levels were also observed with each of the rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid doses as compared with simvastatin 40 mg. Treatment-related AEs and discontinuations due to AEs were similar across groups. The incidence of serious AEs was 0% with simvastatin 40 mg, 3.4% with rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid 5 mg/135 mg, 0.8% with rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid 10 mg/135 mg, and 2.5% with rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid 20 mg/135 mg. No cases of rhabdomyolysis or drug-related myopathy were reported.

CONCLUSION

In patients with high LDL-C and TG levels, combination treatment with rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid was well tolerated, and each of the rosuvastatin/fenofibric acid doses produced greater reductions in LDL-C and improvements in other efficacy parameters, compared with simvastatin 40 mg. [Clinical trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00812955.].