Lipid and cholesterol-lowering drugs

Question 1

What are the high, borderline high, and desirable levels of total cholesterol?

Answer 1

> 200 mg/dL desirable
200-239 mg/dL borderline high
240 mg/dL high

Question 2

What are the desirable, near optimal, borderline high, high, and very high levels of LDL?

Answer 2

<100 desirable
100-129 near optimal
130-159 borderline high
160-189 high
>189 very high

Question 3

What are the desirable, borderline, and high levels of triglycerides?

Answer 3

<120 mg/dL desirable
120-199 borderline
>200 high

Question 4

What are the poor, moderate, and ideal levels of scavenger receptors—HDL?

Answer 4

<40 mg/mg/dL poor
50-59 moderate
~60 ideal

Question 5

What is typically the most effective at lowering LDL? How effective?

Answer 5

Statins-inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase-rate, 50-60%

Question 6

What two drugs are typically used to lower LDL?

Answer 6

1. Lovastatin (been around a long time)

2. Rosuvastatin (Crestor >$5 billion/yr sales)

Question 7

What are typical side effects of LDL drugs?

Answer 7

Elevate blood sugar, cognitive problems, muscle weakness, G.I irritation

Question 8

(T/F) Side effects in LDL lowering drugs are common.

Answer 8

False

Question 9

What are 3 less common drugs used to treat high LDL?

Answer 9

Niacin
Fibrates: e.g., gemfibrozil
Bile acid binding resins such as cholestyramine

Question 10

What are the side effects of Niacin?

Answer 10

annoying vasodilation and flushing of face

Question 11

Will high LDL effect dental procedures?

Answer 11

It won’t directly affect most dental procedures, but is suggestive that there may be cardiovascular disease present that will have an impact such as hypertension, potential MI or stroke, and artherosclerosis.