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Statins (HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors)
Cholesterol (also called a lipid) is a fat-like substance present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body, including the brain, nerves, muscles, skin, liver, intestines, and heart. The body needs cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D, the bile acids, build the walls of cells. The body makes cholesterol and gets it from food. There are two types of cholesterol: a "good" cholesterol called high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and a "bad" cholesterol called low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL cholesterol carries cholesterol back to the liver, where it is removed from the body. The liver can excrete excess cholesterol as bile acids. LDL transports cholesterol from the liver to the tissues of the body, therefore it is considered the "bad" cholesterol. Cholesterol levels rise slightly with age. Women generally have a higher HDL cholesterol level than men. Dangers of high cholesterol levels Having high blood cholesterol is a risk factor for several diseases:
Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) Statin drugs (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) are lipid-lowering medications. Statins lower the blood level of LDL cholesterol. These agents also slightly raise levels of HDL cholesterol. Commonly prescribed statins include:
Baycol (cerivastatin) was removed from the market in 2001 because of serious side effects. Statins inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. These drugs lower cholesterol by slowing the production of cholesterol and by increasing the liver's ability to remove the "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) already in the blood. Statins provide the greatest benefit to people with coronary heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and other risk factors for heart disease. Statins are considered to be the most effective drugs for lowering LDL. All statins have the ability to reduce LDL cholesterol by 30% or more. Atorvastatin, lovastatin and simvastatin can reduce LDL cholesterol in excess of 40%. Atorvastatin has demonstrated the ability to reduce LDL by 50% or greater. Lovastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin have been demonstrated in high quality clinical trials to reduce cardiovascular health problems. Atorvastatin and fluvastatin reduced some cardiovascular diseases in fair quality studies. Statin side effects have been the subject of controversy over the past years. Research is revealing new serious side effects associated with statin medications use. Muscle pain, Statin induced myopathy Liver dysfunction Statin-induced CoQ10 depletion Memory problems Other side effects References
Last updated: September, 2009 |
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