Statin

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 -

• The Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study

References:

1. FDA approval of rosuvastatin