Statins

Question 1

What are the mechanisms of action for statins

Answer 1

inhibition of HMG~CoA reductase
(Normally used to produce cholesterol in the liver)

Decrease in the plasma concentration of cholesterol

Causes an increase in the number of LDL receptors

Which in turn increases the rate of LDL removal from the plasma

Question 2

Describe some ADRs of statins

Answer 2

Raised LFTs
Myopathies
GI complaints
Headaches

But generally well tolerated by the population

Question 3

Describe some other lipid lowering therapies:
Mechanism of action
Examples
When they are used

Answer 3

Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors:
act by blocking the specific cholesterol transport protein NPCILI in the brush border
Examples include: Ezetimibe
normally given to statin- insensitive patients

Fibrates:
act on the PPAR-alpha receptor, which acts to significantly reduce triglyceride production
They are mainly used directly for hypertriglyceraemias.

Question 4

What are statins used for

Answer 4

lower LDLs

Reduce CVD risk