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Pharmacy Hot Topics
11/13/2009: High Dose Niacin Induces Plaque Size Regression When Added to a Statin—Foreshadowing Combination Therapy?
Christopher P. Martin
University of Texas College of Pharmacy
Robert L. Talbert
University of Texas College of Pharmacy
Topics Discussed: atheroma; cardiovascular disorders; cardiovascular event; coronary arteriosclerosis; drugs affecting cardiovascular function; hyperlipidemia; ischemic heart disease; niacin; peripheral arterial disease; pharmacotherapy of cardiovascular disorders; statins.
Excerpt:
"Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) are first line lipid lowering therapy for cardiovascular (CV) event prevention and with good reason; statins reduce mortality by 19% according to the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ Collaborators.1 However, even with statin therapy, two-thirds of patients will still experience a CV event.2 For over 30 years it has been known that low LDL and high HDL cholesterol is the best combination for CV event prevention. Statins are excellent at reducing LDL but do not adequately raise HDL for many patients. Thus, combination therapy with a statin and HDL boosting agents to achieve further reductions in CV morbidity and mortality remains an active area of research...."
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