Colesevelam hydrochloride appears to be an effective lipid-lowering agent that significantly reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, according to a study published in the October issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
The researchers involved in the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial concluded that colesevelam was efficacious, decreasing mean LDL levels by up to 18 percent, and was well-tolerated without serious adverse events. Elevated LDL cholesterol is a major risk factor contributing to the development and progression of atherosclerotic disease and coronary heart disease. Atherosclerotic coronary heart disease is a major cause of death and disability, affecting approximately 14 million adults in the United States.
"Past clinical studies have shown that cholesterol-lowering therapy is effective in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease as well as decreasing coronary events in patients with established coronary heart disease," says Michael H. Davidson, M.D., senior author of the study. "Colesevelam appears to be a useful therapeutic alternative for patients with mild to moderate primary hypercholesterolemia."
Hypercholesterolemia occurs when abnormally high concentrations of cholesterol are present in the bloodstream. It can lead to heart disease, hardening of the arteries, heart attack and strokes.
Colesevelam was administered for treatment of mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial in 1998. The 18-center study had 494 patients during the 24-week treatment period. Colesevelam lowered mean LDL levels from nine percent to 18 percent. Mean total cholesterol levels decreased four percent to 10 percent.
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The researchers note that the degree of lipid lowering with colesevelam was independent of sex or age. Furthermore, colesevelam treatment was not accompanied by serious adverse events relative to placebo.
Source: Mayo Clinic
