doubling statin dose - approximate increase in cholesterol lowering if double dose of statins
Last reviewed 01/2018
- if the dose of a statin is doubled then there is an approximate 6% increase
in LDL lowering efficacy by doubling the dose - the so-called 6 percent
rule
- for example
- rosuvastatin statin 5mg produces an approximate LDL reduction of 40% - if the dose of rosuvastin is doubled to 10mg then there is an approximate 46% LDL reduction expected with this dose of rosuvastatin
- pravastatin 20mg produces an approximate LDL reduction of 24% -
if the dose of pravastatin is doubled to 40mg then there is an approximate
30% LDL reduction expected with this dose of pravastatin
- the "6 percent rule" holds approximately for all statins (1,2)
- for example
Reference:
- J Am Coll Cardiol. 2003;42(2):398-399
- Personal opinion - Jim McMorran (29/3/13). GP with Specialist Interest in Diabetes and Lipids (Coventry PCT) and Editor GPnotebook.