Lipid-regulating drugs

Question 1

Who should be considered for statins?

Answer 1

Over 40 years with diabetes

Question 2

Which statin should be avoided in pregnancy and BF?

Answer 2

Pravastatin

Question 3

Which statin’s do not need to be taken at night?

And which should be taken at night?

Answer 3

Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin - have a longer duration of action and can be taken in the morning - can increase compliance

simvastatin

Question 4

What are the main S/E?

Answer 4

Myalgia (muscle pain), altered LFT’s

Question 5

How do they work?

Answer 5

competitively inhibits the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme

Question 6

What counselling should you give to a pt on a statin?

Answer 6

report any unexplained muscle pains promptly

Question 7

How would you monitor a pts S/E due to muscle pains?

Answer 7

Measure creatinine kinase

Question 8

What would you measure to check how a patient is getting on whilst using the statin?

Answer 8

ALT levels

Question 9

Which drug can be used in conjunction with statins?

How does this drug work?

Answer 9

Ezetimibe (in conjunction wth statin or if statin is unsuitable)

It works by inhibiting intestinal absorption of cholesterol