Authors: Alawi A AlsheikhAli Richard H Karas
Publish Date: 2009/02/15
Volume: 11, Issue: 2, Pages: 100-104
Abstract
3Hydroxy3methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors statins are among the most commonly prescribed and studied drugs in modern medicine Their proven benefit in prevention of cardiovascular events is driven by their ability to markedly reduce lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol LDLC Recent analyses have provided insight into the relationship between statininduced reductions in LDLC and risk of rhabdomyolysis liver toxicity and cancer Risk of statinassociated elevated liver enzymes and rhabdomyolysis is not related to the magnitude of LDLC lowering Instead drug and dosespecific effects of statins are more important determinants of liver and muscle toxicity than magnitude of LDLC lowering Furthermore although there is an inverse association between LDLC and cancer risk in both statintreated and comparable control cohorts statin therapy despite significantly reducing LDLC is not associated with an increased risk of cancer
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