Statins

Question 1

What are some examples of statins?

Answer 1

Atorvastin (first line)
Simvastatin (taken at night)

Question 2

What is atorvastatin used for?

Answer 2

Hyperlipidaemia
CVD

Question 3

How does atorvastatin work?

Answer 3

Competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase
Increase in hepatic LDL receptors: more clearance of circulating LDL

Question 4

What are adverse reaction of atorvastatin?

Answer 4

Rhabdomyolysis
Myalgia
GI disruption, Nausea
Headache

Question 5

DTDI of atorvastatins

Answer 5

Amlodipine
Amiodarone
Diltiazem
Macrolides (increases statin concentrations)

Question 6

What is a good thing about atorvastatin?

Answer 6

Long half life >30h

Question 7

How is atorvastatin metabolised?

Answer 7

First pass metabolism

Question 8

What are the statins doses and what is currently offered to patients (familial hyperlipidaemia is managed differently).

Answer 8

Primary prevention 20mg atorvastin once daily
Secondary prevention 80gm atorvastatin once daily
Full lipid profile ( HDL, non HDL and triglyceride) before prescribing
Target: >40% reduction in non HDL-C

Question 9

What CYP enzyme is used to metabolise atorvastatin

Answer 9

CYP3A4