statins

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Related to statins: pravastatin, Lipitor

re·leas·ing fac·tors (RF),

1. any substance, usually of hypothalamic origin, capable of accelerating the rate of secretion of a given hormone by the anterior pituitary gland;

2. factors required in the termination phase of either RNA biosynthesis or protein biosynthesis. Synonym(s): termination factor

3. colloquial shortened form for the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors used as antihyperlipidemic agents, whose generic names end with the suffix statin. Synonym(s): statins

Synonym(s): liberins, releasing hormone

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

statins

Drugs of the hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor class (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors). These drugs block the liver's production of cholesterol by competitive inhibition of the reductase coenzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step of cholesterol synthesis. They can lower the levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) by 25–45 per cent and a number of major trials have shown their benefits in preventing heart attacks and other effects of ATHEROSCLEROSIS. They reduce the risk of sepsis and fatal sepsis in people with cardiovascular disease, and it has been established that intensive statin treatment after heart attacks provides greater protection against death than does a standard regimen. Recent research on mice has suggested that statins may have some value in MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS because of an effect of diminishing the cellular immune reponse. This growing drug class includes atorvastatin (Lipitor), cerivastatin (Liponay), fluvastatin (Lescol), pravastatin (Lipostat), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor). Note that the root ‘statin’ has proved popular with pharmacological neologists so, unfortunately, there are many other drugs, not in the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor class, with ‘statin’ in their names.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Statins

A class of drugs commonly used to lower LDL cholesterol levels.

Mentioned in: C-Reactive Protein

Patient discussion about statins

Q. husband has horrible rash bil. below knees to his ankles. it is bright red yellow weeping cracks. On statins He has been on zocor for 15 years and we are so afraid this may have something to do with this drug. He has stopped taking the drug because the pain and weakness, and numbness in his legs is considerable

A. i looked up for side effects and i saw only "eczema" as a skin side effect. but it seems odd to me that after 15 years you got this kind of side effect. it should have appeared years ago. you know- it might be a very good idea to go and see a Dr... and not stopping a medication without warning..

More discussions about statins

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References in periodicals archive ?

According to the research, statins cause spontaneous and irregular leaks of calcium from storage compartments within muscle cells.

University of Leeds: Scientists identify potential cause of statin-related muscle pain

Statins inhibit the action of an enzyme responsible for cholesterol production in the liver.

Life on Statin Therapy: What You Should Expect: From their cardiovascular benefits to their potential side effects, here's what you need to know about these cholesterol medications

Scientists say their findings suggest why only some people experience muscle pain after taking statins.

Exercise could help to counter statins side effect - claim

"We know around seven in 10 professional athletes cannot tolerate statins - and we know that intense endurance exercise has profound effects on the gatekeeper proteins targeted by statins.

Calcium leaks linked to statin pain

"We found moderate exercise cancelled out the changes in muscle cells caused by statins. We know around seven in 10 professional athletes can't tolerate statins and we know that intense endurance exercise has profound effects on the gatekeeper proteins targeted by statins.

Exercise could be key for statins patients; MEDICINE

FICTION: Statins don't work Dr Jarvis said: "Yes they do.

The truth about statins... Guide to cholesterol drug

Statins reduce bad cholesterol by one millimole per litre, which means you can cut your chances of having a heart attack or dying of heart disease by 23%, cut your risk of having a stroke by 17% and reduce your risk of dying by 12%."

The truth about statins; Guide to cholesterol drug

To overcomes tatin-induced muscle toxicity and tendinopathy and to determine efficacy and safety, several studies administered alternate - day statins compared to standard daily regimen.

Can alternate-day Statin regimen minimize its adverse effects on muscle and tendon? A systematic review

It is well-established that statins can help lower the risk of heart attack by lowering blood cholesterol, but statins also may play a protective role in the event of a heart attack because they can suppress a biological process that disrupts cardiac function.

Statins can be beneficial during heart attacks and cancer cell metastasis

Statins work by inhibiting an enzyme which helps the liver produce cholesterol from fat.

Statins: What's the debate all about? Many doctors think cholesterol-lowering statins are lifesavers - but not everyone agrees. LISA SALMON finds out more

"There is no convincing evidence for a causal relationship between statins and cancer, cataracts, cognitive dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, or tendinitis," they wrote.

AHA: Statins associated with high degree of safety

These results contrast with an earlier meta-analysis based on one of the previously described RCTs and lower-quality evidence (16 cohort studies and 3 case-control studies) that found using statins to be associated with lower relative risk (RR) of dementia than not using a statin (all-type dementia RR=0.82; 95% CI, 0.69-0.97; Alzheimer's disease RR=0.70; 95% CI, 0.60-0.83).