Printable Version

Home > Drug Related News > Statin Drugs May be Under-prescribed

Statin Drugs May be Under-prescribed

Even though cholesterol-reducing agents such as the statins are among the most widely prescribed drugs, researchers on May 31, 2005 explained that more high-risk cardiovascular patients should be given this type of drug therapy. The statins lower cholesterol by enzyme inhibition, which blocks the production of endogenous cholesterol in the liver. Elevated cholesterol is linked to heart disease, which is the number one killer in America. The researchers analyzed two databases that included details of outpatient visits to hospitals and types of drugs prescribed or continued. They found the underuse of statins in higher risk patients.

“They (statins) have to be prescribed for the right reasons and for the right groups of patients. For any drug therapy, you have to balance the risks against the benefits,” stated Ma, one of the researchers.

The risks, or side effects, include liver damage and muscle breakdown. Therefore, patients should be routinely monitored for the occurrence of these adverse events. Statins are effective cholesterol-lowering agents, whose use may promote a reduced incidence of heart disease in the United States if appropriately prescribed to higher risk patients.

References: www.medlineplus.com

Heather B. Fouse, Pharm.D. Candidate