Colestipol hydrochloride in hypercholesterolemic patients—Effect on serum cholesterol and mortality

Serum cholesterol-lowering ability and safety of colestipol hydrochloride were evaluated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, multiclinic trial in 2278 hypercholesterolemic patients treated for up to 3 yr. After one month of treatment, serum cholesterol declined more ( P ≤ 0.001) in the colestipol group (32 mg/dl) than in the placebo group (1 mg/dl). Serum cholesterol reduction over all observation periods averaged 37 mg/dl in the colestipol group and 7 mg/dl in the placebo group. Colestipol produced no serious side effects. The coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality rate was lower in the colestipol-treated men than in the placebo-treated men ( P ≤ 0.02). The total mortality rate as well as the CHD mortality rate was significantly lower ( P ≤ 0.01 in both instances) in colestipol-treated men with preexisting CHD than in placebo-treated men with preexisting CHD. Mortality rates in women did not differ significantly in the two treatment groups.