Anti-Lipids HMG-COA reductase inhibitors

who needs Anti-Lipids HMG-COA reductase inhibitors

pts with

-high cholesterol levels

-preventative treatment for CAD

-CAD to help stabilize fatty plaques already in blood vessels

Anti-Lipids HMG-COA reductase inhibitors can prevent and help treat

atherosclerosis

common generic medication names for Anti-Lipids HMG-COA reductase inhibitors are

atorvastatin (Lipitor)

Lovastatin (Mevacor)

a common suffix for Anti-Lipids HMG-COA reductase inhibitors is

-STATIN

how do Anti-Lipids HMG-COA reductase inhibitors work?

block the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase that is responsible for synthesizing cholesterol in the liver.

Statins competitively inhibit the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme.

HDL

high density lipoproteins (healthy type of cholesterol)

who should NOT use Anti-Lipids HMG-COA reductase inhibitors

elevated liver functions

liver disease

hepatitis

alcohol abuse

when should you give Anti-Lipids HMG-COA reductase inhibitors?

give two hours before other medications and 4 hours after a bile acid sequestrate

what should a nurse monitor when giving a Anti-Lipids HMG-COA reductase inhibitor

they should monitor ALT/AST (liver enzymes) and creatinine kinase levels

creatinine kinase is a protein found in the skeletal muscles and in the heart. high levels of this mean that the muscles are becoming damaged and it is leaking into the blood. this is known as rhabdomyolysis and myopathy. Fibrates combined with statins worsen this as well as liver toxicity so it is important to not take both at the same time

what time of day should the patient take Anti-Lipids HMG-COA reductase inhibitors

they should take it at night

Since a majority of the cholesterol synthesis occurs at night in a fasting state, the recommendation is that statins with a shorter half-life should be taken orally before bedtime to maximize its action

how long can it take to see therapeutic effects for Anti-Lipids HMG-COA reductase inhibitors

4-6 weeks

when taking Anti-Lipids HMG-COA reductase inhibitors you should avoid

SUN!

Wear sunscreen if going outside

report muscle weakness and cola colored urine when taking Anti-Lipids HMG-COA reductase inhibitors because it can indicate...?

Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis

side effects for Anti-Lipids HMG-COA reductase inhibitors

GI Upset

liver toxicity

Rhabdomyolysis

myopathy

Rhabdomyolysis s/s

muscle pain

weakness

dark cola urine

increased creatine kinase levels

Myopathy s/s

weakness

stiffness

cramps

muscle pain

what medications have drug interactions with Anti-Lipids HMG-COA reductase inhibitors

gemFIBROZIL (fibrates)

erythromycin

what is the nurses role in HMG-COA reductase inhibitors?

ask pt if they have sore muscles

what can cause more toxicity and should be avoided?

grapefruit juice

how do you know this medication is working?

increase in HDL

decrease in LDL

LDL levels

less than 100 is best

HDL levels

less then 60 is best

Statins ARE NOT

a cure!

they patient must help themselves with a healthy diet and a cure

how do LDLs work in the body?

they attach themselves to the blood vessels and become really sticky. this can lead to heart attack or stroke

What organ synthesizes cholesterol?

liver