Atorvastatin.
Atorvastatin (Lipitor, Pfizer) is a safe and effective 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor (statin). It is the most potent currently available statin in terms of lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol levels. It was the first statin shown to lower triglycerides in patients with isolated hypertriglyceridaemia. It has a good safety profile. In common with other statins, it has non-lipid-lowering effects including improving endothelial function, antiproliferative actions on smooth muscle and reducing platelet aggregation. It also has anti-inflammatory effects and may reduce plasma glucose levels. Clinical trial evidence with this statin is currently limited. It did slightly reduce events in the AVERT trial comparing patients receiving coronary angioplasty with those receiving high-dose atorvastatin therapy and in the MIRACL study reduced ischemia in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Other end point trials are in progress.
Wierzbicki
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AS
Department of Chemical Pathology, St. Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom. Anthony.Wierzbicki@kcl.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin