Antihyperlipidemics and Drugs to Improve Peripheral Blood Flow

Question 1

Drugs that dilate the distal blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

Answer 1

Peripheral vasodilators

Question 2

A condition that occurs when there is an excess of one or more lipids in the blood

Answer 2

Hyperlipidemia

Question 3

Special particles made up of droplets of fats surrounded by a single layer of phospholipid molecules

Answer 3

Lipoprotein

Question 4

Large particles that transport fatty acids and cholesterol to the liver

Answer 4

Chylomicrons

Question 5

The four different types of lipoprotein are:

Answer 5

HDL, LDL, VLDL, chylomicrons

Question 6

Which lipoprotein is “good” and which one is “bad”?

Answer 6

HDL is good. LDL is bad.

Question 7

What are the desirable levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL?

Answer 7

Cholesterol = 150-200
Triglycerides = 40-150
LDL = <100
HDL = >60

Question 8

What level of cholesterol is determined as “High risk”?

Answer 8

> 240

Question 9

List nonpharmacological methods to reduce cholesterol.

Answer 9

Reduce saturated fats and cholesterol in the diet. Reduce total fat intake to 30% or less of caloric intake. Reduce cholesterol intake to 300mg/day or less. Exercise and stop smoking.

Question 10

Cholestyramine(Questran), colestipol(Colestid), and colesevelam(WelChol) are what type of antihyperlipidemic?

Answer 10

Bile-acid sequestrants

Question 11

What is a common side effect of bile-acid sequestrants and how can it be avoided?

Answer 11

Constipation; increase fiber and fluids

Question 12

How do bile-acid sequestrants work?

Answer 12

They reduce LDL cholesterol levels by binding with the bile acids in the intestine.

Question 13

Gemfibrozil(Lopid) and Fenofibrate(Tricor) are what type of antihyperlipidemic?

Answer 13

Fibrates (fibric acid derivatives)

Question 14

How do fibrates interact with anticoagulants?

Answer 14

They are highly protein bound and compete with anticoagulants for protein sites. They displace anticoagulants, which causes an increase in free anticoagulants.

Question 15

Niacin or vitamin B3 is what type of antihyperlipidemic?

Answer 15

Nicotinic acid

Question 16

What are the two most common side effects of niacin?

Answer 16

GI distress and flushing

Question 17

How can flushing with niacin be reduced?

Answer 17

By taking aspirin and reducing the dose.

Question 18

Ezetimibe (Zetia) is what type of antihyperlipidemic?

Answer 18

Cholesterol absorption inhibitor

Question 19

True or False: Cholesterol absorption inhibitors must be combined with a statin for optimal effect.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

True or False: Like Bile-acid sequestrants, cholesterol absorption inhibitors cause constipation and other GI side effects.

Answer 20

False

Question 21

Rosuvastatin (Lipitor) and Atorvastatin (Crestor) are which type of antihyperlipidemic?

Answer 21

HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)

Question 22

List the possible side effects of statins:

Answer 22

GI distress, constipation, muscle cramps, fatigue, cataracts, liver impairment, rhabdomyolysis

Question 23

True or False: Statins can take 6-8 weeks to work.

Answer 23

True

Question 24

True or False: Once a person starts taking antihyperlipidemic medication, there is no longer a need for lifestyle modifications.

Answer 24

False

Question 25

How can patients reduce GI side effects related to statins?

Answer 25

Take them with a meal and a full glass of water.

Question 26

What types of medications can we use to improve peripheral blood flow?

Answer 26

Statins, antihypertensives, antiplatelets, and hemorrheologic medications?

Question 27

Cilostazol (Pletal) is what type of drug?

Answer 27

Antiplatelet

Question 28

What foods and herbs interact with cilostazol?

Answer 28

Grapefruit and green tea increase levels. Ginger and Ginkgo increase bleeding time. St. John’s wort decreases the effect.