Discussion
With pharmaceutical costs leading medical inflation, a current challenge for clinicians is to alter the cost-benefit ratio of prescriptions to the advantage of patients. Weekly dosing, as has recently been approved for alendronate sodium (Fosamax) and fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac), is one approach to this problem. In this preliminary study, weekly dosing of 20 mg atorvastatin resulted in a 22% reduction of LDL-C, measured on the seventh day after dosing. This regimen represents an approximately 80% reduction in yearly cost compared with that of a regimen of 10 mg daily.
Since this study did not investigate the pattern of LDL-C reduction in the interval between doses, further research is needed to delineate the area under the curve and the impact on clinical outcomes before conclusions may be drawn regarding the effectiveness of weekly dosing.
Acknowledgment
The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance of William Harris, PhD, in editing and statistical analysis.