- Body system
- Cardiovascular
- Name stem
- -statin
- Drug cards
- 1 in this guide
Drugs in this class
Other examples: Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin, Pravastatin, Lovastatin.
How statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) work
Inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis in the liver; the liver then removes more LDL from the blood.
Uses
- High LDL cholesterol
- Primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Adverse effects
- Muscle aches (myalgia)
- Rarely myopathy and rhabdomyolysis
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Small rise in blood glucose
Nursing considerations
- Check the lipid panel and baseline liver enzymes; check CK if muscle symptoms appear.
- Contraindicated in pregnancy and active liver disease.
- Interactions (for example gemfibrozil, some macrolides and azole antifungals) raise the risk of muscle injury.
Patient teaching
- Report unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, especially with dark urine.
- Simvastatin and lovastatin are taken in the evening; atorvastatin and rosuvastatin can be taken any time.
- Continue diet and exercise changes.
Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) NCLEX practice questions
Answer each question to see the rationale.
3 questions. Choose an answer to see the rationale.
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A patient taking a statin reports muscle pain and dark brown urine. What is the priority?
Show answer
Answer B: Hold the statin and notify the provider: possible rhabdomyolysis Muscle pain with dark urine suggests rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney failure. CK and kidney function must be checked.
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Which statin is traditionally taken in the evening?
Show answer
Answer D: Simvastatin Short half-life statins such as simvastatin and lovastatin work best in the evening, when cholesterol synthesis peaks.
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Which lab test is used to evaluate the effectiveness of statin therapy?
Show answer
Answer A: Lipid panel The lipid panel, especially LDL cholesterol, shows whether the statin is working.
Frequently asked questions
What are statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)?
Statins (the -statin drugs) lower LDL cholesterol and the risk of heart attack and stroke. Muscle pain is the symptom patients must report.
How do statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) work?
Inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis in the liver; the liver then removes more LDL from the blood.
What are examples of statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)?
Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin, Pravastatin and Lovastatin.
What are the nursing considerations for statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)?
Check the lipid panel and baseline liver enzymes; check CK if muscle symptoms appear. Contraindicated in pregnancy and active liver disease.