Cholesterol Lowering Drug Safe and Effective in Children

The cholesterol-lowering drug sim-vastatin significantly reduced cholesterol levels in children with inherited high cholesterol, according to a randomized study published in Circulation (October 1, 2002). A total of 173 children (aged 9 to 18 years) with inherited high cholesterol were randomized to up to 40 mg of simvastatin or placebo. After 48 weeks, the children who received simvastatin showed a 41% reduction in low-density lipoprotein, a 31% reduction in total cholesterol, a 34% reduction in apolipoprotein B, a 21% reduction in very low-density lipoprotein, and a 9% reduction in triglycerides. The drug did not affect the growth or maturation of the children.