What it means
An HMG-CoAaych-em-jee koh-AY3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A: a substance the liver uses on its way to making cholesterol.Full entry reductase inhibitor used to lower cholesterol and the risk of heart attack and stroke. Side effects include muscle aches and, rarely, serious muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) and liver problems. Grapefruit juice and some drugs raise its level.
For the nurse
Give the immediate-release tablet with the evening meal. Teach the client to report unexplained muscle pain, weakness or dark urine, and to avoid large amounts of grapefruit juice. It is not used in pregnancy.
At a glance
| Drug class | antilipemic (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, statin) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Altoprev; Mevacor (former brand) |
| Also written | Altoprev, Mevacor |
Related terms
coronary artery disease
Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, most often from fatty plaque buildup.
atherosclerosis
A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the walls of the arteries.
VLDL
Very low-density lipoprotein: a particle made by the liver that carries fats, mostly triglycerides, in the blood.
HMG-CoA
3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A: a substance the liver uses on its way to making cholesterol.