What are Statins?

‘Statins’ are substances that can reduce the LDL blood cholesterol levels (Bad cholesterol) and increase the good cholesterol levels (HDL) thereby preventing heart attacks, strokes , Angina and intermittent claudication (Pain in the legs).

There are several kinds of statins differing in mode of action to reduce the cholesterol.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body to perform vital functions. It is a waxy fatty substance produced in the liver and also comes from the food. Foods rich in cholesterol are meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products. Cholesterol is found every where in the body including brain, nerves, muscles, skin, liver, intestines and heart. The body uses the cholesterol for production of hormones, Vitamin D and bile. The cholesterol is found in the body in different densities along with lipoproteins. Cholesterol particles are called low density cholesterol usually referred as bad cholesterol and high density cholesterol as good cholesterol. The bad (LDL) cholesterol is associated with heart attacks and strokes when their concentration reaches high.

Normal values of Blood Cholesterol:

1. Total cholesterol: 200mg/dl

2. Total triglycerides: 150mg/dl

3. HDL cholesterol: > 40mg/dl

4. LDL cholesterol: < 100mg/dl

High cholesterol in the blood can be controlled using certain drugs. Statins are such medications which can control the cholesterol in various ways. Therefore statins are used to control high cholesterol in the blood. So they are used in People who are having high cholesterol, when there is a family history of heart attacks, increasing age and in diabetes.

There are different varieties of statins which differ in their mode of action to control the cholesterol.

• Statins that lower the cholesterol levels by controlling body’s production. Example: Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin, Pravastatin, Lovestatin, and fluvastatin.
• Statins that can lower the triglyceride levels by preventing production and help in
• removing triglycerides from the blood Example: Fenofibrate, Gemfibrozil etc.
• Statins that reduce the LDL cholesterol (Bile acid sequestrates) Example: Colesevelam, Colestipol, Cholestermine.
• Statins that can increase HDL cholesterol and moderately reduce LDL cholesterol levels. Example: Niacin, Nicotinic acid, Vitamin B3.
• Statins that act by preventing absorption of cholesterol from the intestines Example: Ezetamide

The above statins are used to control the cholesterol levels according to the patient’s disease condition either alone or in combination. A recent study showed that statins can also be used to control osteoporosis to improve the bone density and to prevent fractures. However further trials are needed to use these drugs for routine clinical use of osteoporosis.

Common side effects of Statins:

• Head ache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Rash
• Weakness and muscle pains
• Kidney failure.

  Diseases and Disorders, obesity