Summary
About statins
Potential side effects
Drug or other interactions
Conditions of concern
Ongoing research
Lifestyle considerations
Pregnancy use issues
Child use issues
Eldery use issues

Summary

Statins are a type of cholesterol-reducing drug that lower the levels of fats (lipids) in the blood, including cholesterol and triglycerides. Other types of cholesterol reducing drugs include fibrates, bile acid resins, nicotinic acid and ezetimibe. All are commonly used to treat high cholesterol, but statins are considered the first line of treatment for patients with this condition.

High levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and other fats in the bloodstream increase the risk of developing hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), heart attack, stroke and other heart-related conditions.

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About statins

Statins are a type of cholesterol-reducing drug that lower the levels of fats (lipids) in the blood, including cholesterol and triglycerides. Statins work by blocking the production of a specific enzyme used by the body to make cholesterol. They are effective in lowering blood fat levels in patients with of high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) and are therefore helpful in the prevention of coronary, cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular disease.

Other types of cholesterol reducing drugs include fibrates, bile acid resins, nicotinic acid and ezetimibe. All are commonly used to treat high cholesterol, but statins are considered the first line of treatment for patients with this condition.

While all cholesterol-lowering drugs are effective to some degree in lowering blood fat levels, statins are particularly effective at lowering levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and – to a lesser degree – triglycerides. While statins do increase levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol, they do not seem to increase those levels as well as nicotinic acid.

Recent studies suggest that statins have a mild anti-inflammatory action and may reduce blood levels of C-reactive protein, an indicator for inflammation in parts of the body. C-reactive protein is proving to be a useful “marker” for predicting heart disease and stroke, which are associated with inflammation of the blood vessel walls.

Examples of these medications include the following:

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