Objective: Noxious adverse effects frequently limit patient acceptance of niacin and bile acid sequestrants (BAS), first-line agents in the management of hypercholesterolemia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether telephone contacts from a healthcare professional could improve drug adherence and tolerance in patients prescribed these medications.
Patients and methods: This was a randomized, single-blind trial of telephone contacts vs. no intervention in patients with hyperlipidemia who were prescribed either niacin or BAS in a large, Veterans Affairs, lipid clinic. Patients randomized to telephone contact (n = 81) received weekly calls from a trained healthcare professional during the first month of drug therapy. Counseling regarding adverse effects, and prescriptions to overcome minor adverse effects, were provided as needed to patients during the telephone contact.
Results: Significant differences were not observed between groups in the drug discontinuance rate, adherence assessed by two independent methods, or in the final dosage of medication ingested.
Conclusions: Telephone contacts do not improve either adherence or tolerance to niacin or BAS. Alternative approaches to enhance acceptance of these medications requires further evaluation.