Statins

Statins (or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) are a class of medications that lower cholesterol. They are typically prescribed to people who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease.

Atorvastatin, sold under the brand name Lipitor among others, is a statin medication used to prevent cardiovascular disease in those at high risk and to treat abnormal lipid levels. For the prevention of cardiovascular disease, statins are a first-line treatment in reducing cholesterol. It is taken by mouth.

Simvastatin, sold under the brand name Zocor among others, is a statin, a type of lipid-lowering medication. It is used along with exercise, diet, and weight loss to decrease elevated lipid levels. It is also used to decrease the risk of heart problems in those at high risk. It is taken by mouth.

Rosuvastatin, sold under the brand name Crestor among others, is a statin medication, used to prevent cardiovascular disease in those at high risk and treat abnormal lipids. It is recommended to be used with dietary changes, exercise, and weight loss. It is taken orally (by mouth).

Lovastatin, sold under the brand name Mevacor among others, is a statin medication, to treat high blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Its use is recommended together with lifestyle changes. It is taken by mouth.

Pravastatin, sold under the brand name Pravachol among others, is a statin medication, used for preventing cardiovascular disease in those at high risk and treating abnormal lipids. It is suggested to be used together with diet changes, exercise, and weight loss. It is taken by mouth.

Pitavastatin (usually as a calcium salt) is a member of the blood cholesterol lowering medication class of statins.

Fluvastatin is a member of the statin drug class, used to treat hypercholesterolemia and to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Cerivastatin (INN, brand names: Baycol, Lipobay) is a synthetic member of the class of statins used to lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease. It was marketed by the pharmaceutical company Bayer A.G. in the late 1990s, competing with Pfizer's highly successful atorvastatin (Lipitor). Cerivastatin was voluntarily withdrawn from the market worldwide in 2001, due to reports of fatal rhabdomyolysis.

Mevastatin (compactin, ML-236B) is a hypolipidemic agent that belongs to the statins class.

Ibrolipim (NO-1886) is a cholesterol lowering drug from the statin family, which acts as a lipoprotein lipase activator. The discovery of the "statin" mevalonic acid synthesis inhibitors focused new attention on control of blood lipid levels as a measure to stave off heart disease. A number of compounds have been found that treat elevated lipid levels by other diverse mechanisms. The phosphonic acid derivative ibrolipim is believed to lower those levels by accelerating fatty acid oxidation.