What it means
Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) lower LDL cholesterol and the risk of heart attack and stroke. Their names end in -statin: atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin. Muscle pain is the most common complaint; rarely, muscle breaks down severely (rhabdomyolysis) or the liver is harmed.
For the nurse
Teach the client to report unexplained muscle pain, weakness or dark urine. Some statins interact with grapefruit juice. They are usually stopped during pregnancy. Pair them with teaching on diet and exercise.
Remember it
"-statin" stops cholesterol from being made.
At a glance
| Spanish | estatina |
|---|---|
| Also written | statins, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors |
Related terms
coronary artery disease
Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, most often from fatty plaque buildup.
cholesterol
A waxy fat made by the liver and found in animal foods, which the body uses to build cells and hormones.
high-density lipoprotein
A particle in the blood that carries cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver; its level is part of a lipid panel.