Ezetimibe/simvastatin single tablet versus rosuvastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia

ABSTRACT

Recent guidelines recommend strict goals for low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (70–100 mg/dL; 1.8–2.6 mmol/L). These goals were set following the publication of several trials. In the current issue of the journal, a study compares different doses of the combination tablet (ezetimibe/simvastatin) with statin monotherapy (rosuvastatin). In keeping with previous literature, the combination therapy was more effective in achieving LDL-C goals.

This editorial comments on the potential disadvantages of using monotherapy with high-dose statins and considers the issue of statin-induced proteinuria.

Combination therapy may need to be increasingly used to achieve the LDL-C targets set by recent guidelines.

Key words: :

• Combination therapy
• Ezetimibe
• Guidelines
• Liver function tests
• Low density lipoprotein cholesterol
• Rosuvastatin
• Simvastatin