Statin

Question 1

What contraindications must be excluded before prescribing a statin?

Answer 1

Pregnancy

Question 2

How would you describe the MOA of statins to a patient?

Answer 2

• Statins stop the liver making cholesterol
• High cholesterol causes problems with your arteries, which increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease

*Also address other cardiovascular risk factors (weight, diet, exercise)

Question 3

How should statins be taken?

Answer 3

• Once daily in the evening
• Taken long-term
• Decreases risk over many years

Question 4

What monitoring is required once statins are prescribed?

Answer 4

• Review in 4 weeks
• Then every 6-12 months –> dose may be titrated as required
• LFTs before starting, at 3 months, and at 12 months

Question 5

What important side effects of statins should patients be made aware of?

Answer 5

• Muscle pains
• Headache
• Itching
• Nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain
• Rhabdomyolysis - seek medical advice if you experience unexpected muscle pain
• May interact with grapefruit juice