Medical researchers conclude that simvastatin should not be used as treatment for multiple sclerosis

This study was published in Lancet Neurology 2011 Aug;10(8):691-701

Study title and authors:
Simvastatin as add-on therapy to interferon β-1a for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (SIMCOMBIN study): a placebo-controlled randomised phase 4 trial.

Sorensen PS, Lycke J, Erälinna JP, Edland A, Wu X, Frederiksen JL, Oturai A, Malmeström C, Stenager E, Sellebjerg F, Sondergaard HB

Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. pss@rh.dk

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21742556

This study investigated the effects of statins in patients relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis who were receiving the multiple sclerosis drug interferon beta. The three year study was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised, parallel-group trial and included 307 patients who received either simvastatin or placebo.

The study found:
(a) Patients in the simvastatin group had a 39% higher risk of relapse compared to patients in the placebo group.
(b) Patients in the simvastatin group had their first relapse 3.4 months earlier than patients in the placebo group.
(c) Patients in the simvastatin group had a 17% higher risk of new or enlarging lesions compared to patients in the placebo group.
(d) Patients in the simvastatin group had a 58% reduced chance of having no disease activity compared to patients in the placebo group.

The researchers concluded: "The combination of interferon beta and simvastatin should not be used as treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis".