For inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase and cholesterol synthesis, the novel 2-pyridones and pyrid-2-thiones of the formula in which A is optionally substituted aryl or heterocyclic, B is optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl, D and E independently are optionally substituted aryl or heterocyclic, H, nitro, cyano, optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or imino, amino, alkoxy or acyl, or forms a ring with B, G is O or S, X is -CH2-CH2- or -CH=CH-, and R represents a group of the formula and salts thereof.