The high-dose rosuvastatin once weekly study (The HD-ROWS)

BACKGROUND: Alternative dosing is often used clinically to address common barriers with statin therapy, such as intolerance and cost. Previous findings have demonstrated significant and clinically similar reductions in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to daily dosing, when comparing similar total weekly doses. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether rosuvastatin 80 mg once weekly produced comparable lipid and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) changes to atorvastatin 10 mg daily, when measured at key points after last dose. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel group, 8-week pilot study. Eligible subjects, 18 to 65 years of age, had documented dyslipidemia with LDL cholesterol >100 mg/dL and triglycerides <200 mg/dL. Participants were randomized to receive either rosuvastatin 80 mg once weekly (n = 10) or atorvastatin 10 mg daily (n = 10), for 8 weeks. Lipid panels and hsCRP were measured at baseline and 1-4 and 5-8 days after the last dose. RESULTS: Participants in each arm experienced significant and comparable reductions from baseline in total cholesterol, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and overall LDL cholesterol (-29%). Changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and hsCRP were nonsignificant and similar between groups. Each regimen was well tolerated, with no major adverse events reported. CONCLUSION: Rosuvastatin 80 mg once weekly produced comparable lipid changes to atorvastatin 10 mg daily when measured at specific points after the last dose. Our findings support previous data demonstrating a significant reduction in LDL-C with once weekly statin dosing. (C) 2012 National Lipid Association. All rights reserved.