Effect of atorvastatin, with or without ezetimibe, on serum lipid profile and ALT in hyperlipidemic patients

ABSTRACT

Hyperlipidaemia is raised serum levels of one or more of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides. Many drugs have been used for the treatment of this disorder. This work compares the effects of atorvastatin with or without ezetimibe on lipid profile, atherogenic index and serum alanine aminotransferase. This study covers 90 subjects, 60 untreated hyperlipidemic patients, and 30 healthy subjects. Patients were divided into 2 groups, the first group included 30 patients treated with atorvastatin 20 mg/day alone, the second group included 30 patients treated with a combination of 2 drugs [atorvastatin 10 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg] taken daily at night. Serum lipid profile, atherogenic index and serum alanine amniotransferase were measured after 12 hours fasting for the patients in 3 intervals before, and after 8 weeks and 16 weeks of treatment. After therapy for both groups of patients, as compared to the levels before treatment, has shown that serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced while high density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly increased. Serum alanine aminotransferase increased by both groups of treatment with no significant difference between the two modes of treatment which has the same findings in comparison to the control group. Combination of atorvastatin 10 mg and ezetimibe 10 mg daily, is more effective than atorvastatin 20 mg taken alone