Lipid - Lowering Agents

Question 1

HMG-CoA reductase Inhibitors: Adverse Effects? When are they not used?

Answer 1

-Muscle pain (myalgia) (Rarer)

-Transiet GI distirbances (eventually go away)

-Liver injury (elevations in liver enzymes) (Care with liver dysfunction patients eg viral hepatitis)

NOT USED DURING PREGNACY

Question 2

Primary group of Lipid lowering drugs?

Answer 2

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (HMGs, or statins

Question 3

What are HMG-CoA reductase Inhibitors first line treatment for?

Answer 3

First-line drug therapy for hypercholesterolemia

(used or high levels of LDL)

Question 4

Example of a HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor?

Answer 4

atorvastatin (Lipitor)

*They are identified by them ending in “statin”

Question 5

HMG-CoA reductase Inhibitors: Mechanism of action
/How do they work?

Answer 5

-Inhibit HMG-CoA reductase: important liver enzyme that produces cholesterol

Lower the rate of cholesterol production (increase plasma clearance of LDL)

Question 6

What Statin must you be careful with when drinking grapefruit juice? Why?

Answer 6

Lovastatin because it inhibits CYP3A4 inhibition

(Applies to statins that are metabolized by CYP3A4 enzyme)

*You want to avoid drinking grapefruit but you need to look and see what STATIN they are on because on some other ones you can have it)