Cholesterol meds Flashcards
What is hyperlipidemia?
High levels of lipids in blood.
Major risk for cardiovascular disease.
What kind of lipids are there?
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL)- highest amount of cholesterol.
Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)- primary carrier of triglycerides
High density lipoproteins (HDL)- contain most protein ‘HAPPY lipids’
What drugs are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors?
‘statins’
atorvastatin (Lipitor)
What is the MOA of atrovastatin?
Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase and cholesterol synthesis.
REDUCE LDL
Nursing considerations of atrovastatin:
AE: HA, fatigue, muscle/joint pain, heartburn, and rarely rhabdomyolysis.
Take in the EVENING because cholesterol production is the highest then.
Take with food to decrease GI discomfort.
Nursing implications of statins.
S-sore muscles=rhabdomyolysis
T- toxicity with grapefruit
A- ALT/AST
T- therapeutic effect v-LDL and ^-HDL
I- increase glucose
N-not a cure
What drug is a bile acid sequestrant?
cholestyramine (Questran)
What is the MOA of cholestyramine?
Bind with bile acids.
Increase cholesterol excretion in stool.
What is the prime use of cholestyramine?
Lower serum-lipid levels (LDL)
Nursing considerations for cholestyramine:
Mix 60-180ml of non-carbonated liquid or applesauce, consume immediately.
What drug is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor?
ezetimibe (Zetia)
What is the MOA of ezetimibe?
Inhibit absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine.
Results in small reduction of LDL.
What are some nursing consideration of ezetimibe?
AE: Few when taken alone. When taken with other statins; joint pain, rhabdomyolysis, hepatic impairment, dizziness, URI, diarrhea.
DO NOT use with bile acid sequestrants.
