Abstract
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction is associated with a significant decrease in mortality, and statins represent the most effective drugs to achieve this. However, side effects of statins are very common and may lead to treatment discontinuation. Nutraceuticals are a combination of natural components that have shown efficacy in lowering LDL-C concentration when used alone or in association with other agents in patients who are intolerant to high-dose statins. Our aim was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of low-dose statin (LDS) therapy versus combined therapy of LDS plus a nutraceutical combination containing red yeast rice, policosanol, berberine, folic acid, coenzyme Q10 and astaxanthin (Armolipid Plus) in high-risk patients. We performed a randomized (1:1), prospective, parallel group, single-blind trial in which participants had coronary artery disease (n = 100), had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention in the preceding 12 months, were high-dose statin intolerant, and did not achieve ≥50% reduction in LDL-C with LDS treatment alone. After 3 months, patients in the LDS + Armolipid Plus (n = 50) group presented with a significantly greater reduction of LDL-C and total cholesterol (p <0.0001), and 70% of patients in this group achieved the therapeutic target (LDL-C <70 mg/dl), whereas patients in the LDS group did not. Six patients (3 from each group) dropped out due to myalgia. In conclusion, in patients with coronary artery disease and high-dose statin intolerance, the combination of LDS and nutraceuticals represents a valuable therapeutic option.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 893-897 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | American Journal of Cardiology |
Volume | 120 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sep 15 2017 |
Keywords
- Aged
- Biological Products/administration & dosage
- Cholesterol/blood
- Coronary Artery Disease/blood
- Dietary Supplements
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Combinations
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Drug Tolerance
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/administration & dosage
- Male
- Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
- Prospective Studies
- Single-Blind Method
- Treatment Outcome