The statins are a class of pharmaceuticals that act by competitively inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase. The reductase is an enzyme involved in the liver cholesterol synthesis. The drugs are the most potent cholesterol lowering agents (LDL-cholesterol), however, they are less effective than the fibrates in reducing triglycerides and raising HDL-cholesterol. The statins play an important role in primary and secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease and myocardial infarct.
There is ongoing research for other actions of statins apart from lipid-lowering for instance - anti-inflammatory or anti-dementive.
The statins are (brand names in countries other than the US can be different):
- atorvastatin (Lipitor®)
- fluvastatin (Lescol®)
- lovastatin (Mevacor®, Altocor®)
- pravastatin (Pravachol®)
- rosuvastatin (Crestor®)
- simvastatin (Zocor®)
- cerivastatin (Lipobay®) - marketing discontinued due to serious side-effects
