Medicine & USMLE

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)

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Cardiovascular Pharm (Old)
  1. Adenosine
  2. Magnesium
  3. Nitroprusside
  4. Nitrates
  5. Ivabradine
  6. Digoxin/Digitalis
  7. Class IA Antiarrhythmics
  8. Class IB Antiarrhythmics
  9. Class IC Antiarrhythmics
  10. Class II Antiarrhythmics
  11. Class III Antiarrhythmics - Amiodarone
  12. Class III Antiarrythmics - Sotalol
  13. Class III Antiarrhythmics - Ibutilide, Dofetilide
  14. Class IV Antiarrhythmics - Verapamil, Diltiazem
  15. HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)
  16. Ezetimibe
  17. Fibrates
  18. PCSK9 Inhibitors (Alirocumab, Evolocumab)
  19. Fish Oil and Omega-3s
  20. Milrinone
  21. Aliskiren
  22. Hydralazine
  23. Ranolazine
  24. Sacubitril

The statins are a class of drugs that includes lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. These drugs function by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, blocking cholesterol synthesis in the liver. In response, the liver increases uptake of LDL cholesterol from blood, decreasing circulating levels of LDL. Statins can also lower triglyceride levels and increase HDL levels. This improvement in the lipid profile is extremely useful in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia, where statins confer a survival benefit by preventing stroke and heart disease. Lastly, the side effects of taking statins include myopathy and hepatotoxicity.