High Cholesterol by Tom Smith

Author:Tom Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: High Cholesterol
ISBN: 9781903784327
Publisher: Rights Solutions
Published: 2011-10-19T00:00:00+00:00

Statins – HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

The statins in current use include atorvastatin (UK brand name Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), pravastatin (Lipostat) and simvastatin (Zocor). Statins hit the headlines in 2001 when cerivastatin (Lipobay) was withdrawn after reports of unacceptably high numbers of cases of muscle pains, especially when given with fibrates.

How They Work

Statins work by blocking an enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase, which is involved in the making of cholesterol in the liver. They are most effective, therefore, in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), but are less effective in lowering high triglyceride (TG) levels. Nevertheless they do reduce TG by between 15 and 40 per cent, depending on the dose.

By blocking the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, statins reduce both LDL-C and VLDL, so that they reduce blood total cholesterol and TG levels, while slightly increasing HDL-C (the ‘good’ cholesterol). Which one your doctor chooses to use depends a lot on his or her personal experience with this class of drugs. They are probably all similar in effect and side-effects.

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