Cholesterol medication names
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Cholesterol Medication Names: An Overview
Statins: The Primary Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs
Statins are the most commonly prescribed medications for lowering cholesterol. They work by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a crucial role in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. Common statins include simvastatin, atorvastatin, and others. Simvastatin is particularly notable, with 42% of cholesterol-lowering medication users reporting its use, followed by atorvastatin at 20.2%. Statins can reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by about 20% to 45%.
Ezetimibe: Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor
Ezetimibe is another important medication that lowers cholesterol by inhibiting its absorption in the intestines. It targets the Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 protein (NPC1L1) and can reduce LDL cholesterol by about 18% when used alone. When combined with statins, it can further reduce LDL levels by an additional 25%.
PCSK9 Inhibitors: Evolocumab
Evolocumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). This inhibition prevents the degradation of LDL receptors in the liver, thereby enhancing the liver's ability to remove LDL cholesterol from the blood. Evolocumab can reduce LDL cholesterol by 53% to 56% from baseline.
Mipomersen: Apolipoprotein B Synthesis Inhibitor
Mipomersen is an antisense oligonucleotide that inhibits the synthesis of apolipoprotein B, a primary component of LDL cholesterol. It is particularly effective in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, reducing LDL cholesterol by 24.7% compared to a 3.3% reduction with placebo.
ETC-1002: ATP Citrate Lyase Inhibitor
ETC-1002, also known as bempedoic acid, is an oral medication that inhibits ATP citrate lyase, an enzyme upstream of HMG-CoA reductase. This medication has shown significant reductions in LDL cholesterol when used alone or in combination with ezetimibe. In clinical trials, ETC-1002 reduced LDL cholesterol by 17% to 24% when added to ongoing statin therapy .
Berberine: A Novel Mechanism
Berberine, a compound derived from a Chinese herb, has been identified as a new cholesterol-lowering drug. It works by upregulating LDL receptors through a post-transcriptional mechanism that stabilizes LDL receptor mRNA. This mechanism is distinct from that of statins, making berberine a unique addition to cholesterol-lowering strategies.
Oligonucleotide Therapeutics
A new class of cholesterol-lowering drugs involves chemically modified small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). These oligonucleotide therapeutics destroy RNA before protein synthesis, offering a novel approach to reducing cholesterol levels.
Conclusion
The landscape of cholesterol-lowering medications is diverse, with statins being the most widely used. However, other medications like ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, mipomersen, ETC-1002, berberine, and oligonucleotide therapeutics offer additional or alternative mechanisms to manage cholesterol levels effectively. Each of these medications targets different pathways in cholesterol metabolism, providing multiple options for personalized treatment strategies.
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