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Statin drugs are a type of hypolipidemic agents that are used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. They do this by lowering the levels of cholesterol in the blood. This decreases the build up in arteries that causes heart disease. There are dangers to statin drugs, however, both to do with the side effects of the drug on its own and to do with the effects when the drug interacts other drugs.

The mode of action of statin drugs is to lower the levels of cholesterol in the blood by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase in the liver. The key to understanding the importance of this concerns the type of lipoprotein called a Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) which is found in what is often referred to as bad cholesterol. Its presence in high levels is implicated in the build ups in arteries that cause heart disease.

By inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase in the liver Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) receptors are stimulated. With more receptors stimulated the clearance of LDL from the bloodstream is increased. As a result of this blood cholesterol levels are also reduced, thus helping to protect against heart disease.

However, there are side effects of statins. These can range from myalgias and muscle cramps to myositis and myopathy. In rare cases this can lead to a skeletal muscle breakdown known as rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to renal failure. The chances of this condition developing are increased by the use of fibrates, whilst also on statins. Fears that statins can cause cancer have so far proved unfounded.

Learn more about this author, Darian Peters.
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