Rosuvastatin and atorvastatin have finished neck and neck in a major trial comparing the blockbuster statins’ efficacy at tackling coronary atherosclerosis.
The study, funded by the developers of rosuvastatin (Crestor), comes as the patent for atorvastatin (Lipitor) expires this month in the US, reportedly to be followed in Australia in May next year.
The trial of more than 1000 patients with coronary disease found that high doses of either rosuvastatin or atorvastatin resulted in significant regression of coronary atherosclerosis — the primary endpoint — after two years of treatment.
Patients who received rosuvastatin achieved lower LDL and higher HDL cholesterol levels than those in the atorvastatin group, but overall the degree of regression of atheroma volume was similar in both groups.
"Either regimen...
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