An Overview of Statins

(LifeWire) - Your DNA, diet and exercise level affect how much of the "bad" cholesterol (LDL) level you have in your body. This fatty, waxy, sticky substance contributes to clogged blood vessels, putting you at risk of a heart attack or stroke. Half of all U.S. adults have high cholesterol, but it is estimated that only about 12% are being treated for it.
Lifestyle changes -- diet and exercise -- are the first step. Drug therapy is the next option. Since 1987, this has usually meant statins.
How does Statins Work?
Statins interfere with a crucial step in the production of cholesterol. They also help the body get rid of cholesterol, decreasing blockages within blood vessels. Research demonstrates that on average, people who take statin drugs have a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke and angina.
How Many Statins are Available?
There are six statins currently available for use:

Crestor (rosuvastatin)
Lipitor (atorvastatin)
Zocor (simvastatin)
Mevacor (lovastatin)
Lescol (fluvastatin)
Pravachol (pravastatin)

Are Statins Safe?
Statins are generally safe and effective. Side effects include:

Headache
Sleep problems
Skin flushing/rash
Muscle aches/pains
Dizziness
Nausea/vomiting
Stomach pain
Gas
Diarrhea/constipation

Statins can affect your liver. Raised liver enzymes may be temporary, or they may require discontinuing a statin and changing to a lower dose of a different statin.
Statins can cause muscle problems. Myalgia -- simple muscle pain -- is the mildest. Myalgia isn't dangerous, and it quickly disappears after stopping the drug. Myositis -- muscle inflammation -- can be more troublesome. Fewer than 0.1% of people taking statins experience rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which muscles break down, resulting in weakness, pain, bloody urine and even possible kidney failure.
Particularly high doses of a statin and taking a statin drug along with another cholesterol drug, such as a fibrate, make these serious side effects much more likely.
Who Shouldn't Take Statins?
Don't take statins if you are pregnant or have liver disease.
How Long Will I Need to Stay on a Statin?
You might well be taking the drug for life.
Which Statin Is Right for Me?
The answers to all of the following questions can help you and your doctor decide which statin to try:

How low do you want your cholesterol level to go?
Is cost important?
When do you need to take it?
What other medications are you taking?

Antifungal medications, macrolide antibiotics, protease inhibitors, the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine, niacin and the antidepressant nafazodone all can interact with statins. Drinking grapefruit juice can also cause a problem.

Statin	What % Does My Cholesterol Need to Be Lowered?	Cost/ Available in Generic?	When to Take?	Does My Medicine Interact With Other Drugs or Grapefruit Juice?
Crestor (rosuvastatin)	45-63%	$	Any time of day	Yes
Lipitor (atorvastatin)	26-60%	$$	Any time of day	Yes
Zocor (simvastatin)	26-47%	$$/Yes	At night	Yes
Mevacor (lovastatin)	21-42%	$/Yes	At night	Yes
Lescol (fluvastatin)	22-36%	$	At night	Yes
Pravachol (pravastatin)	22-34%	$/Yes	At night	Yes

Are Statins Good for Anything Else?
Research is being done to see if statins might be able to treat arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, dementia, Alzheimer's disease and kidney disease. More research is needed in these areas.

Sat, Jul 10,2010

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