Efficacy and Safety of Alternate-Day Versus Daily Dosing of Statins: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs to synthesize evidence about the efficacy and safety of alternate-day vs daily dosing of statins.

We searched selected databases through January 2, 2017 to identify relevant RCTs and quasi-RCTs. The primary outcome was change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG), while secondary outcomes included adverse events and adherence.

Twelve RCTs and 1 quasi-RCT (n = 1023 patients) were included in the analysis. Pooled analysis revealed no statistically significant difference between alternate-day and daily regimens of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin in terms of change in LDL-C (mean difference [MD] 6.79 mg/dL, 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.59, 15.17, p = 0.11, and 10.51 mg/dL, 95%CI −0.23, 21.26, p = 0.06, respectively) and TG (p > 0.05). Daily regimens of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin were superior to alternate-day regimes in term of change in TC (MD 12.45 mg/L, 95%CI 8.14, 16.76, p < 0.00001, and 15.80 mg/dL, 95%CI 5.66, 25.95, p = 0.002, respectively). For all outcomes, there was no statistically significant difference between alternate-day and daily regimens for both fluvastatin and pravastatin (p > 0.05). Both regimens of statins were generally well tolerated with good adherence.

Alternate-day dosing of individual statins (especially atorvastatin and rosuvastatin) is as efficacious as daily dosing on LDL-C and TG.