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HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)
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Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
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Lovastatin (Mevacor)
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Simvastatin (Zocor)
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Pravastatin (Pravachol)
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Fluvastatin (Lescol)
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Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
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Simvastatin/Ezetimibe (Vytorin)
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What do statins do?
Statins are used to lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol. They will mildly lower triglycerides and mildly raise HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Statins work by blocking the production of cholesterol within a cell causing the cell to increase the number of LDL receptors on the cells surface. As the number of LDL receptors increases, more LDL cholesterol is taken into the cell, thus lowering the blood cholesterol level.
What do they look like?
Each brand of statin looks differently and has its own dosing system.
Why should I take a Statin?
In patients with coronary heart disease, studies have shown that taking a statin will reduce the risk of death from heart attacks (myocardial infarctions), will reduce the risk of having a heart attack, and will reduce the risk of having to have open heart surgery to bypass blocked arteries.
How should I take my Statin?
Most statins are given in a single dose and should be taken in the evening with dinner or at bedtime. Choose the time that works best for you. Once you are started on a cholesterol-lowering agent, your lipids will be rechecked in 4?6 weeks to determine its effectiveness. It may be necessary to increase the dose if your LDL cholesterol is not reduced or if other goals are not reached.
Remember - You will need to maintain a low fat, low cholesterol diet in addition to taking a cholesterol-lowering drug.
What about side effects?
Statins usually have few side effects. Only 1?2% of people started on a statin will have any adverse symptoms. If any of the following symptoms should occur you should notify your nurse or doctor:
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Muscle aches or flu-like symptoms.
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Severe muscle soreness
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General fatigue
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Rash
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Nausea or stomach discomfort
Liver problems develop in about 2% of statin users. You will therefore be asked to have liver function tests done periodically. This is a done with a simple blood test. If you should notice any of the following symptoms, please notify your physician or nurse:
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Severe fatigue
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Severely decreased appetite
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Yellowing of the whites of your eyes or skin. In some cases the skin may look orange.
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Persistent dark urine
If you should ever develop any of the symptoms noted above or develop elevated liver function studies, reducing the dose or stopping the drug entirely has for most people eliminated the symptoms and has allowed the liver to return to normal without any damage. You and your doctor will decide which option is best for you if the need should even arise.
Any special precautions?
Patients with known liver or severe kidney disease should not take Statins. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid this medication. Statins should be avoided when taking antifungal drugs and some antibiotics such as Erythromycin. If you need to start any of these drugs, you will need to stop your statin while taking these drugs. Call your nurse about restarting your statin when you have finished the antibiotic and tell her what medications you are currently taking.
Patient materials and videos are provided by the American College of Cardiology Foundation's CardioSmart program. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2009.
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