Pharmaceutical compositions comprising alkanoyl L-carnitine in combination with a statine for treating pathologies brought about by an altered lipid metabolism

Abstract

The co-ordinated use of an alkanoyl L-carnitine (e.g. propionyl L-carnitine) and a statine (e.g. simvastatin) is disclosed for treating pathologies brought about by an altered lipid metabolism, wherein by coordinated use both the substantially contemporaneous co-administration of the two active ingredients and the administration of a combination composition comprising a mixture of the two active ingredients, is meant.

1 . An orally or parenterally administrable pharmaceutical composition which comprises an alkanoyl L-carnitine wherein the linear or branched alkanoyl group has 2-6 carbon atoms, or one of its pharmacologically acceptable salts, and a statin.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the alkanoyl L-carnitine is selected from the group comprising acetyl L-carnitine, propionyl L-carnitine, butyryl L-carnitine, valeryl L-carnitine and isovaleryl L-carnitine.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the statin is selected from the group comprising lovastatin, simvastatin, provastatin and fluvastatin.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmacologically acceptable salt of the alkanoyl L-carnitine is selected from the group comprising chloride, bromide, orotate, acid aspartate, acid citrate, acid phosphate, fumarate and acid fumarate, lactate, maleate and acid maleate, acid oxalate, acid sulphate, glucose phosphate, tartrate and acid tartrate.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the statin is simvastatin and the alkanoyl L-carnitine is propionyl L-carnitine or one of its pharmacologically acceptable salts.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  with a cholesterolaemia-lowering and triglyceridaemia-lowering action for the treatment of diseases caused by abnormal lipid metabolism.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6  for the treatment of cardiovascular, thrombotic, atherosclerotic diseases and of peripheral vascular diseases.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , in unit dosage form, comprising of 5-10 mg of statin and 100-1000 mg of alkanoyl L-carnitine.  
     
     
         9 . Co-ordinated use of an alkanoyl L-carnitine wherein the linear or branched alkanoyl group has 2-6 carbon atoms, or of one of its pharmacologically acceptable salts, and a statin, for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by abnormal lipid metabolism.  
     
     
         10 . Use of an alkanoyl L-carnitine wherein the linear or branched alkanoyl group has 2-6 carbon atoms, or of one of its pharmacologically acceptable salts, and a statin, to produce a medicament for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by abnormal lipid metabolism.  
     
     
         11 . The use of  claim 9 , in which the statin is selected from the group comprising lovastatin, simvastatin, provastatin and fluvastatin and the alkanoyl L-carnitine is selected from among the group comprising acetyl L-carnitine, propionyl L-carnitine, butyryl L-carnitine, valeryl L-carnitine and isovaleryl L-carnitine or one of their pharmacologically acceptable salts.