high intensity versus intermediate intensity versus low intensity statin treatment (statins)
Last reviewed 08/2022
Dose of particular statin versus reduction in LDL cholesterol
| Dose (mg/day) | 5 | 10 | 20 | 40 | 80 |
| fluvastatin | - | - | 21% a | 27% a | 33% b |
| pravastatin | - | 20% a | 24% a | 29% a | - |
| simvastatin | - | 27% a | 32% b | 37% b | 42% c,d |
| atorvastatin | - | 37% b | 43% c | 49% c | 55% c |
| rosuvastatin | 38% b | 43% c | 48% c | 53% c | - |
- a 20%- 30%: low intensity
- b 31%- 40%: medium intensity
- c Above 40%: high intensity
- d Advice from the MHRA: there is an increased risk of myopathy associated with high-dose (80 mg) simvastatin. The 80 mg dose should be considered only in patients with severe hypercholesterolaemia and high risk of cardiovascular complications who have not achieved their treatment goals on lower doses, when the benefits are expected to outweigh the potential risks.
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