| Lipids are biological molecules that are soluble in | | | | dietary changes and also lifestyle change |
| organic solvents and insoluble in aqueous solution. Lipids | | | | If a person has very high levels of lipids, initial therapy |
| include triglycerides and cholesterol. Cholesterol is | | | | with one of the above category may not be sufficient; |
| divided into two groups: Low density protein (LDL) or | | | | in that case combination of categories may be used |
| bad cholesterol which causes hardening of arteries | | | | as lipid lowering drugs; however combination of statin |
| and high density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol | | | | with fibrates or nicotinic acid may have increased side |
| which clears cholesterol from the arteries. | | | | effects. |
| The term dyslipidemia is used to describe disruption of | | | | Statin is the class of drugs prescribed to treat high |
| lipid level in the blood. Most people in western countries | | | | cholesterol (hyper cholestermia). Stain drugs include |
| suffer from hyperlipidemia which means elevated level | | | | atoravastatin (lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), Rosuvastatin |
| of lipids in the blood caused due to faulty diet and | | | | (crestor), pravastatin (lipostat). Statin class of drugs is |
| lifestyle. Lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities are very | | | | very effective in treating high cholesterol but less |
| common in general population and are regarded as | | | | effective than fibrates. Fibrates are more effective in |
| high risk factor for cardiovascular diseases due to | | | | lowering LDL and increasing HDL, but they have their |
| influence of cholesterol which is most prominent | | | | own associated side effects. In general they are |
| constituent of lipids, which in turn causes | | | | effective in lowering heart strokes, atherosclerosis and |
| atherosclerosis. High level of bad cholesterol (LDL) is | | | | other cardiovascular diseases. |
| one of the major cause for various cardiovascular | | | | The metabolism of statin in liver is similar to that of |
| diseases. | | | | protease inhibitors using P450 CYP3A4 pathway. |
| Drugs that lower lipid levels are prescribed to patients | | | | These protease inhibitors are dangerous and cause |
| suffering from high lipid levels. These drugs are known | | | | muscle damage and hence lot of side effects with |
| as lipid lowering drugs. These drugs are also called as | | | | drug interactions. |
| anti-lipid drugs. | | | | In contrast to other members of the drug class, |
| Broadly these anti lipid drugs are classified into five | | | | rosuvastatin is not metabolised by the P450 pathway, |
| categories: Statins, fibrates, anion exchange resins, fish | | | | hence less potential for drug interactions. |
| oils and nicotinic acid. These drugs are prescribed for | | | | Ofcourse as they say prevention is the best cure. |
| patients who are suffering from coronary artery | | | | Proper diet and lifestyle prevents most of the |
| disease, heart diseases and have not responded to | | | | cardiovascular diseases. |