Effects of policosanol on patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia: A pilot study

A randomized, double-masked, 12-week, placebo controlled pilot study was conducted to determine the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol 5 mg twice daily, a new cholesterol-lowering drug, in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and hypercholesterolemia. After glycemic control was achieved through treatment with diet and oral hypoglycemic drugs, patients were instructed to follow a lipid-lowering diet and to discontinue all lipid-lowering drugs for 6 weeks. Subsequently, patients who met the entry criteria received policosanol or placebo tablets to be taken twice daily for 12 weeks. When compared with baseline, policosanol significantly reduced total cholesterol by 28.9%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 44.4%, and total cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio by 38.3% and LDL-C:HDL-C ratio by 51.6%. Significant between-group differences were also seen: policosanol treatment raised HDL-C levels by 23.5% compared with placebo. Levels of triglyceride, glucose, and glycated hemoglobin were not significantly changed after therapy. No patient withdrew from the trial because of adverse experiences. Only two patients, both from the placebo group, reported mild adverse experiences (nervousness). It is concluded that policosanol is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of patients with NIDDM and hypercholesterolemia.