Statins: pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Statins: pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and cost-effectiveness analysis. Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2018 Jul 06;: Authors: Ricci G, Ciccone MM, Giordano P, Cortese F Abstract Cardiovascular diseases secondary to atherosclerosis are the primary causes of early death and disability worldwide and dyslipidaemia represents one of the most important modifiable risk factors. Among lipid abnormalities that define it, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the primary target of therapy, since multiple randomized controlled trials have shown the positive impact of its reduction on atherosclerosis development. For their ability to lower LDL-C levels, statins are the most studied drugs in cardiovascular disease prevention, of proven utility in slowing the progression or even determining regression of atherosclerosis. In addition, they have ancillary proprieties, with positive effects on the mechanisms involved in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, the so called "pleiotropic mechanisms". Although sharing the same mechanism of action, the different chemical and pharmacological characteristics of each kind of statins affect their absorption, bioavailability, plasma protein binding properties, excretion and solubility. In this overview, we analysed pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic mechanisms of this class of drugs, specifying the differences among the molecules, along with the economic aspects. D...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: research