Statin
From Wacklepedia - The Free Encyclopedia
The statins are a class of
pharmaceuticals that act by
competitively inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA)
reductase. The reductase is an
enzyme involved in the liver
cholesterol synthesis.
The drugs are the most potent cholesterol lowering agents (LDL-cholesterol), however, they are less effective than the fibrates in reducing triglycerides and raising
HDL-cholesterol.
The statins play an important role in primary and secondary prevention
of
ischaemic heart disease and
myocardial infarct.
There is ongoing research for other actions of statins apart from
lipid-lowering for instance - anti-inflammatory or anti-dementive.
The statins are (brand names in countries other than the US can be different):
- atorvastatin (Lipitor®)
- fluvastatin (Lescol®)
- lovastatin (Mevacor®, Altocor®)
- pravastatin (Pravachol®)
- rosuvastatin (Crestor®)
- simvastatin (Zocor®)
- cerivastatin (Lipobay®) - marketing discontinued due to serious side-effects
See also -
References:
- FDA approval of rosuvastatin