Frequency of creatine kinase elevation during treatment with fluvastatin in combination with fibrates (bezafibrate, fenofibrate, or gemfibrozil)

Fluvastatin/fenofibrate vs. simvastatin/ezetimibe in patients with metabolic syndrome: different effects on LDL-profiles

BACKGROUND

Patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) show increased risk for coronary artery disease. Lipoprotein metabolism is characterized by elevated triglycerides (TG), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and predominance of atherogenic small, dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL), while low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is only slightly elevated.

METHODS

Multicentre, randomized, open-label cross-over study investigating the effect of combination of fluvastatin/fenofibrate (80/200 mg) (F&F) on LDL-subfractions compared with combination of simvastatin/ezetimibe (20/10 mg) (S&E) in patients with MS/T2DM.

RESULTS

Seventy-five patients were randomized, 69 completed the study and LDL-subfractions of 56 patients were analysed. Thirty-eight out of 56 patients (68%) showed a profile dominated by sdLDL. In these, TG and total cholesterol (TC) were elevated compared with non-sdLDL patients. In all patients, reduction of TC and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) by S&E was stronger than by F&F. The increase of HDL-C was stronger with S&E in the non-sdLDL group, whereas in the sdLDL group, there was no difference between treatments. In non-sdLDL patients, there was no effect on TG or LDL-radius. However, in the sdLDL group, F&F was more effective in reducing TG and increased LDL radius, whereas S&E reduced LDL radius even further.

CONCLUSIONS

S&E is more efficient in reducing TC and LDL-C. This is also true for HDL-C increase in non-sdLDL patients. However, in patients with sdLDL, F&F was more efficient in reducing TG and increasing LDL radius.

Combination therapy with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and a fibric acid derivative: a critical review of potential benefits and drawbacks

It has been clearly shown that lowering low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) [most often with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor] decreases the risk of a cardiovascular event. However, this risk reduction was, at most, 35% in clinical trials, meaning that many events could not be prevented. Moreover, reaching target lipid values as recommended by the current guidelines is often difficult, mainly in high-risk situations such as secondary prevention or type 2 diabetes mellitus. As the two main classes of lipid-lowering drugs (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and fibric acid derivatives) have complementary effects on lipid parameters, it seems logical to combine both treatments particularly in patients with combined hyperlipidemia. In fact, combination therapy with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and a fibric acid derivative induces a further decrease in LDL-C levels compared with monotherapy and improves other lipid values such as high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels. Unfortunately, there are currently no available randomized, prospective clinical data on the reduction of the incidence of cardiovascular events with such a combination. This is mainly because the use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and fibric acid derivative combinations was initially described as dangerous. It is true that such a combination increases the risk of muscle toxicity that already exists with monotherapy. Muscle toxicity can eventually lead to life-threatening rhabdomyolysis and some precautions of use are required; however, the risk seems actually lower than what has been initially reported. The use of combined therapy with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and a fibric acid derivative requires the respect of some rules such as avoiding the prescription in patients with concomitant conditions like renal failure and avoiding the use of gemfibrozil as a fibric acid derivative in such a combination. It is now imperative to design clinical trials to determine the clinical efficacy and precise safety of this combined treatment especially in patients with abnormalities in every parameter of the lipid triad (LDL, HDL and TG) and a high vascular risk such as patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Toward "pain-free" statin prescribing: clinical algorithm for diagnosis and management of myalgia

Myalgia, which often manifests as pain or soreness in skeletal muscles, is among the most salient adverse events associated with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins). Clinical issues related to statin-associated myotoxicity include (1) incidence in randomized controlled trials and occurrence in postmarketing surveillance databases; (2) potential differences between statins in their associations with such adverse events; and (3) diagnostic and treatment strategies to prevent, recognize, and manage these events. Data from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical and observational trials, and post-marketing surveillance indicate that statin-associated myalgia typically affects approximately 5.0% of patients, as myopathy in 0.1% and as rhabdomyolysis in 0.01%. However, studies also suggest that myalgia is among the leading reasons patients discontinue statins (particularly high-dose statin monotherapy) and that treatment with certain statins (eg, fluvastatin) is unlikely to result in such adverse events. This review presents a clinical algorithm for monitoring and managing statin-associated myotoxicity. The algorithm highlights risk factors for muscle toxicity and provides recommendations for (1) creatine kinase measurements and monitoring; (2) statin dosage reduction, discontinuation, and rechallenge; and (3) treatment alternatives, such as extended-release fluvastatin with or without ezetimibe, low-dose or alternate-day rosuvastatin, or ezetimibe with or without colesevelam. The algorithm should help to inform and enhance patient care and reduce the risk of myalgia and other potentially treatment-limiting muscle effects that might undermine patient adherence and compromise the overall cardioprotective benefits of statins.

Overcoming ???Ageism??? Bias in the Treatment of Hypercholesterolaemia

Atherosclerosis is a progressive, lifelong condition that is the leading cause of death among middle-aged and elderly individuals aged > or =65 years. Up to 80% of elderly patients are found to have evidence of obstructive coronary heart disease at autopsy. Demographic trends, including the advancing median age and life expectancy of Western societies, suggest that a large share of the burden of atherosclerotic plaque is likely to be borne by elderly individuals. These trends are in part due to increases in a number of chronic diseases associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. Because the elderly have a higher attributable risk of coronary heart disease as a result of hypercholesterolaemia, more coronary deaths and overall events can be prevented via treatment in this age group compared with younger persons with hypercholesterolaemia. The efficacy, safety and tolerability of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have been confirmed in randomised, controlled, multicentre trials involving large numbers of patients aged > or =65 years. Although muscle symptoms such as myalgia are relatively common adverse events, more severe signs of myolysis such as myopathy and rhabdomyolysis are rare, but their risk is elevated by conditions (e.g. concomitant medications) that increase the systemic exposure of these agents. Statins differ in their susceptibility to increases in systemic exposure, but most statins have been demonstrated to be well tolerated and safe when administered to elderly patients. These favourable clinical findings should help clinicians counter highly prevalent 'ageism' bias in statin prescribing, whereby elderly patients, particularly those at highest cardiovascular risk, are often denied the benefits of statins without any meaningful foundation.

Fluvastatin: efficacy and safety in reducing cardiac events

The importance of statin therapy in lipid-lowering and its role in primary and secondary prevention has been borne out of numerous clinical trials conducted over the last two decades. Concurrently, much concern has been expressed over the safety and tolerability of these drugs. Fluvastatin has demonstrated good clinical efficacy and safety. This paper reviews the various pharmacological properties and evidence supporting its use in the prevention of cardiac events.

Fluvastatin and fluvastatin extended release: a clinical and safety profile

Cardiovascular diseases due to atherosclerosis are the leading causes of mortality in the Western world. Cholesterol-lowering therapy with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme Areductase inhibitors (statins) has demonstrated a reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in diverse populations. Fluvastatin (Lescol, Novartis Pharmaceuticals) was the first totally synthetic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor on the market and has recently become available in an extended-release formulation (Lescol XL, Novartis Pharmaceuticals). Data from several clinical outcome trials have shown substantial benefits from fluvastatin treatment in diverse populations. Fluvastatin exists primarily in its acid form and as inactive metabolites in vivo, while active metabolites as well as the lactone form are only present in small amounts. The demonstration of the safe use of fluvastatin in a wide range of patients may be associated with the predominant acid form of the drug in vivo, as well as its predominant metabolism via the cytochrome P450 2C9 pathway.

Fluvastatin: clinical and safety profile

Therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) has been shown to significantly reduce major coronary events and death in a wide range of individuals at risk for these events. In addition, recent observations suggest that some of the clinical benefits associated with statin therapy may be pleiotropic; that is, independent of their cholesterol-inhibiting action. It is clear that the clinical benefits associated with statin therapy far outweigh the risks; however, there may be important clinical differences among agents within the class, related to both benefits and drug safety. Evaluation of the benefit-to-risk profile for each available statin should include considering the results of randomised clinical outcome trials, the safety record of each agent, effect on lipoproteins and evidence of beneficial pleiotropic properties.Recently, data from several clinical outcome trials have shown that substantial benefits are associated with treatment with fluvastatin in diverse populations. In particular, data from two large, randomised clinical trials have demonstrated that fluvastatin is effective for secondary prevention of cardiac events in patients following coronary intervention procedures, and for primary prevention of cardiac events in renal transplant recipients. Pleiotropic benefits for fluvastatin have been shown in experimental and clinical studies as well. Fluvastatin was the first statin available as an extended-release product (fluvastatin XL 80mg); both formulations have demonstrated efficacy and safety in a wide range of patients. Taken together, these clinical outcomes and safety data suggest a strong benefit-to-risk profile for fluvastatin.

Combination therapy in the management of complex dyslipidemias

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with dyslipidemias continue to be undertreated in both the primary and secondary prevention settings. Many patients have therapeutic needs that exceed simple reductions in low-density lipoprotein levels using statins. This review discusses the need for comprehensive management of all abnormalities in a given patient's lipoprotein profile and for the use of combinations of anti-lipidemic medications, when indicated.

RECENT FINDINGS

The majority of high-risk patients with manifestations of atherosclerotic disease or who have a coronary artery disease risk equivalent are not meeting their various lipoprotein targets. There is considerable reluctance to titrate statins and to use combinations of anti-lipidemic medications in patients not reaching their various lipoprotein targets. Combinations of anti-lipidemic medications can be specifically tailored to address abnormalities in multiple lipoprotein fractions. Recent clinical trials clearly demonstrate that combination therapy is well tolerated and facilitates lipoprotein goal attainment.

SUMMARY

Therapeutic approaches that incorporate the use of multiple anti-lipidemic medications should be more widely adopted in order to increase the number of patients able to meet their lipoprotein goals and to produce more substantially reduced risks for acute cardiovascular events.

The use of statins in optimising reduction of cardiovascular risk: focus on fluvastatin

Patients with widely differing degrees of cardiovascular risk can derive benefit from effective lipid-lowering therapy with statins, including patients with normal or low cholesterol levels. Clinical trials with fluvastatin have shown that it is effective in patients across a broad spectrum of cardiovascular risk. The lipid-lowering effects of fluvastatin are smaller than some statins, but major clinical outcome studies have consistently demonstrated morbidity and mortality benefits with reductions of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of <30%. As treatment with statins is generally life-long and patients often receive multiple concomitant medications, optimal statin therapy should be well tolerated and serious consideration should be given to the avoidance of drug interactions. Although serious side-effects of statins are very rare, it is important that fluvastatin is less susceptible to drug interactions than other statins, because serious side-effects of statin therapy are generally associated with concomitant medications affecting statin metabolism. In addition, an extended-release formulation of fluvastatin has been developed to provide liver selectivity with a sustained exposure to the drug, thus improving its efficacy, and safety and tolerability profiles.

Drug-induced and toxic myopathies

Drug-induced myopathies and, more rarely, rhabdomyolysis, are a common biological and clinical setting for clinical rheumatologists. The focus of this chapter is to review (i) the clinical presentation and management of these adverse drug reactions (ADR) according to pain and associated neurological symptoms, (ii) the common drugs prescribed by rheumatologists which may induce reactions such as ADR, with special reference to new drugs, (iii) the pathological classification associated with specific patterns, and (iv) the risk factors leading to myotoxicity (including genetic predisposition). Specific features to be reviewed include macrophage myofasciitis and biological agents of major importance when considering terrorist attacks with biological weapons. When diagnosis is suspected, discontinuation of the putative drug(s) is mandatory and should be carefully monitored.

Effects of baseline level of triglycerides on changes in lipid levels from combined fluvastatin + fibrate (bezafibrate, fenofibrate, or gemfibrozil)

This analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of baseline triglyceride levels on lipid and lipoprotein changes after treatment with the combination of fluvastatin and fibrates. The analysis involved pooling data from 10 studies that included 1,018 patients with either mixed hyperlipidemia or primary hypercholesterolemia. Patients received a combination of fluvastatin and a fibrate (bezafibrate, fenofibrate, or gemfibrozil) from 16 to 108 weeks. The combination of fluvastatin and a fibrate improved lipid profiles, with reductions in triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol that were dependent on baseline triglyceride levels. The greatest triglyceride reductions were observed in patients with high baseline triglyceride levels (> or =400 mg/dl) (41%, p <0.0001). The greatest LDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol reductions occurred in patients with normal baseline triglyceride levels (<150 mg/dl) (35% and 33%, respectively; p <0.0001). The combined fluvastatin-fibrate therapy was well tolerated. Two patients (0.2%) (1 patient on fluvastatin 80 mg + gemfibrozil 1,200 mg and 1 patient on fluvastatin 20 mg + fenofibrate 200 mg) had creatine kinase levels > or =10 times the upper limit of normal, 11 patients (1.1%) had an elevation in alanine transaminase >3 times the upper limit of normal, and 7 patients (0.7%) had elevations in aspartate transaminase >3 times the upper limit of normal. Combined fluvastatin-fibrate therapy takes advantage of the complementary effects of the 2 agents, with the extent of triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and non-HDL cholesterol lowering dependent on baseline triglyceride levels. The combination of fluvastatin and fibrates was well tolerated with no major safety concerns.