A study presented at the 40th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes ( EASD ), Munich, Germany, has showed that Rosuvastatin ( Crestor ) lowers LDL-cholesterol and raises HDL-cholesterol significantly more than Atorvastatin ( Lipitor ) in patients with the metabolic syndrome and high cholesterol levels. Rosuvastatin 10mg increases HDL-cholesterol by nearly double that of Atorvastatin 10mg.

Results in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes from the MERCURY I study have showed that Rosuvastatin 10mg reduces LDL-cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia significantly more than Atorvastatin at the same dose, and increases HDL-cholesterol levels.

Rosuvastatin, a new statin, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, reduces LDL ( low-density lipoprotein ) cholesterol. In addition Rosuvastatin has been shown to provide a significant increase in HDL ( high-density lipoprotein ) cholesterol.

The recommended usual starting dose of Rosuvastatin is 10 mg once daily with a dose range of 5 to 40 mg. Therapy with Rosuvastatin should be individualised according to goal of therapy and response. For patients with marked hypercholesterolemia ( LDL-C >190 mg/dL ) and aggressive lipid targets, a 20 mg start dose may be considered, and for special populations a 5mg dose is also available.

Source: EASD 2004

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