title: Statins--similarities and differences.
abstract: The number of statins available to physicians continues to grow, leading to the question: Are all statins alike? Comparisons of side effects and safety profiles and the dose-response relationship among the different drugs show similar results. The cholesterol-lowering action of each depends on its ability to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). On the other hand, the molecular structures of the newer statins are not similar and could have an effect on the mechanism of action of the compounds. Differences in metabolism also suggest the possibility of serious drug-drug interactions, and differences in levels of lipid reduction at varying dosages among the statins point to clinical variation as well.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gaw
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D008148:Lovastatin