statin

[stat-n]

noun

Pharmacology.

1. any of a class of drugs that reduce the levels of lipids in the blood by altering the enzyme activity in the liver that produces lipids: used in the prevention and treatment of heart disease.

statin

/ ˈstætɪn /

noun

1. any of a class of drugs, including atorvastatin and simvastatin, that lower the levels of low-density lipoproteins in the blood by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme involved in the production of cholesterol in the liver

statin

1. Any of a class of drugs that inhibit a key enzyme involved in the synthesis of cholesterol and promote receptor binding of LDL-cholesterol, resulting in decreased levels of serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol and increased levels of HDL-cholesterol.

Word History and Origins

Origin of statin¹

First recorded in 1985–90; extracted from (lova)statin and other drugs in this class

Example Sentences

This is an oral small molecule that patients can use in addition to statins, or in place of statins for those not on statins already.

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People are already offered a cholesterol-lowering statin based on a calculation of their risk of a heart attack or stroke.

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The decision ended one threat to the no-cost preventive services — from cancer and diabetes screenings to statin drugs and vaccines — used by more than 150 million Americans who have health insurance.

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Other drugs such as lithium or statins can become more concentrated and problematic in the blood if there is too much fluid loss.

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He said that when a new innovation came along, like statins did about 30 years ago, they were expensive at first - but then the price started to fall.

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