According to medical statistics, more than 56% of all deaths in Russia are caused by diseases of the circulatory system. One of the main factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular mortality, impaired cholesterol metabolism and high blood cholesterol. There are several ways to correct this condition. One of the most radical is the use of statins. In the proposed article, all statins of a new generation are considered - the names of drugs, their classification, indications for use and contraindications.
Material Content:
The latest generation of statins: drug names and estimated cost
Cholesterol (aka cholesterol) is an important substance that performs a number of functions in the human body:
- participates in the construction of cell membranes;
- participates in the synthesis of female and male sex hormones;
- participates in the synthesis of adrenaline and norepinephrine;
- participates in the synthesis of vitamin D;
- participates in the formation of bile acids necessary for normal digestion.
About 20-30% of cholesterol is obtained by the human body with food. The internal organs are directly involved in the development of the rest: the liver, adrenal glands, intestines, kidneys, and sex glands.
Given the important role of cholesterol, it is traditionally accepted to divide it into “good” and “bad”. The first type includes high density lipoproteins (HDL), which do not precipitate on the vessels. The second - low density lipoproteins (LDL). It is their increased content in the blood that creates the risk of developing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, strokes and other dangerous pathologies.
In cases of a small, non-life-threatening, increase in the level of "bad" cholesterol, cardiologists prefer to correct it with gentle methods - the selection of a special diet, recommendations on the regime of physical activity, and so on. And only if these measures do not give effect, statins are prescribed.
Statins are drugs that inhibit the process of cholesterol formation in the human body. Often they are prescribed in combination with other medications used to treat heart and vascular diseases.
Today, IV generation statins are most often used to correct a high level of LDL:
| Drug name | Active substance | Dosage options, mg | Average cost, ruble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akorta | Rosuvastatin | 5, 10, 20 | 1900-3700 for 28 tablets |
| "Crestor" | Rosuvastatin | 5, 10, 20, 40 | 650-700 for 14 tablets |
| Mertenil | Rosuvastatin | 5, 10, 20, 40 | 470-1400 for 30 tablets |
| Rosucard | Rosuvastatin | 10, 20, 40 | 650-1100 for 30 tablets |
| Rosulip | Rosuvastatin | 5, 10, 20 | 470-1100 for 28 tablets |
| Roxer | Rosuvastatin | 5, 10, 15, 20 | 450-800 for 30 tablets |
| Tevastor | Rosuvastatin | 5, 10, 20 | 360-660 for 30 tablets |
The prices for statins of the latest generation fluctuate depending on the dosage of the active substance and the region of sales.
Features of the classification of statins and drug groups
In different years, statin drugs were created on the basis of different active components. Accordingly, today four generations of medicines are distinguished and divided into groups according to the active substance.
It is interesting: the benefits and harms of statins from cholesterol
Group number 1. Rosuvastatin
On the basis of rosuvastatin, a new generation of statins is produced - the fourth. Specific drugs are listed in the table above.
Rosuvastatin is a compound whose action is based on the suppression of an enzyme that converts a number of starting materials into mevalonic acid. Cholesterol is subsequently synthesized from this acid.
Rosuvastatin works directly in the liver. It increases the number of receptors capable of recognizing LDL molecules. As a result, "bad" cholesterol is actively destroyed and its concentration in the blood decreases by an average of 55%.
The effect of therapy with drugs containing rosuvastatin begins to appear within a week after the start of administration. It reaches a maximum by the 4th week. Further treatment is supportive.
The main advantage of the latest generation of statins is that low and medium doses of drugs are sufficient to achieve a therapeutic effect.
These drugs are well tolerated and, as a rule, do not require an increase in dosage. Unlike statins of earlier generations, Rosuvastatin is minimally metabolized in the liver and excreted unchanged by 95%.
Group number 2. Atorvastatin
Atorvastatin-based statins of the third generation include:
| Drug name | Dosage options, mg | Average cost, ruble |
|---|---|---|
| Atorvastatin Canon | 10 | 250 for 30 tablets |
| Atoris | 10, 20, 30, 40 | 380-670 for 30 tablets |
| Liprimar | 10, 20, 40, 80 | 770-1200 for 30 tablets |
| Torvakard | 10, 20, 40 | 300-620 for 30 tablets |
| Tulip | 10, 20, 40 | 250-670 for 30 tablets |
The principle of action of atorvastatin is similar to rosuvastatin. However, experts noted a lower effectiveness of drugs based on it. Decrease in LDL does not exceed 47%.
Group number 3. Simvastatin
Statins of the II generation as an active substance contain simvastatin. This substance also works to block the early stages of cholesterol synthesis. By moderately lowering the level of “bad” cholesterol (on average by 38%), it simultaneously increases the concentration of “good”.
Among the preparations containing simvastatin are the following:
| Drug name | Dosage options, mg | Average cost, ruble |
|---|---|---|
| Vasilip | 10, 20 | 130-230 for 14 tablets |
| Zokor | 10, 20 | 390-720 for 28 tablets |
| "Ariescore" | 10, 20 | 330-600 for 30 tablets |
The initial therapeutic effect of taking simvastatin is observed from the 2nd week from the start of treatment. It reaches a maximum by the 5th week.
Group number 4. Fluvastatin
Fluvastatin-based drugs also belong to the second generation of statins. In terms of effectiveness, they are slightly inferior to simvastatin, demonstrating a decrease in LDL concentration by an average of 29%.
In connection with the spread of more modern statins, a number of fluvastatin-based drugs have recently been discontinued (for example, Leskol EL). But on sale you can still find Leskol Forte, which is available in a dosage of 80 mg and has an average cost of 2600 rubles per pack of 28 tablets.
Group number 5. Lovastatin
Preparations of the first generation are made on the basis of lovastatin - a substance of natural origin, which is contained in oyster mushrooms. This compound accelerates the destruction of low density lipoproteins, helping to reduce its concentration in the blood by about 25%.
Lovastatin-based drugs include:
| Drug name | Dosage options, mg | Average cost, ruble |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiostatin | 20, 40 | 165-280 for 30 tablets |
| "Holetar" | 20, 40 | 280-390 for 30 tablets |
You can increase the effectiveness of lovastatin by increasing physical activity, diet correction, weight loss.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of statin?
If statins are taken correctly and strictly for their intended purpose, the benefits of their use are obvious:
- Regular intake for a long time contributes to a persistent decrease in the level of "bad" cholesterol. Statins of the latest generation show a decrease in LDL in blood by more than 50%.
- As a result of the normalization of cholesterol metabolism, the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes is reduced by 30%.
- Among patients with heart diseases who take statins for a long time and regularly, a 40% reduction in mortality is recorded.
A great advantage of statins is the absence of significant drug intoxication after prolonged use in therapeutic doses.
This is especially true for new generation drugs based on rosuvastatin.
Among the advantages of this class include a wide selection of analogues. This allows you to choose a medicine for any wallet.
As for the shortcomings of statins, experts have no consensus. Some time ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued guidelines for taking statins, which noted the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, later European studies do not confirm this information. Moreover, for diabetics with coronary heart disease, statins are prescribed without fail.
Indications and contraindications for the use of statins
According to the documents of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, statin intake is indicated for all pathologies of the cardiology profile, including complications such as myocardial infarction or stroke. These drugs can be prescribed for medical interventions such as arterial revascularization.
Absolute indications for the use of this class are:
- primary hypercholesterolemia (type IIa);
- mixed hypercholesterolemia (type IIb);
- familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia;
- hypertriglyceridemia;
- atherosclerosis.
The use of statins is contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation, hypersensitivity to active substances and patients under the age of 18 years.
Contraindications include:
- liver disease - acute or chronic in the acute phase;
- myopathy
- lactose intolerance, lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose
- malabsorption;
- renal failure;
- hypothyroidism.
Instructions for certain statins include contraindications for belonging to the Mongoloid race and the lack of adequate contraception in women of reproductive age.
With caution, drugs are prescribed for people who abuse alcohol, as well as suffering from arterial hypotension and convulsive syndromes. A relative contraindication is the age of 65 years.
Side effects
Side effects of the latest generation of statins are, as a rule, dose-dependent in nature and disappear when the drug is discontinued. However, taking statins uncontrollably or violating the recommended regimen is by no means possible. An excessive decrease in cholesterol production leads to serious consequences in the form of damage to muscle tissue or progressive cataracts.
In addition, side effects may occur:
- headache;
- Dizziness
- dyspepsia;
- proteinuria;
- skin rashes, itching;
- asthenic syndrome.
It is important to remember that taking statins is possible only in cases where it is not possible to adjust the level of cholesterol in the blood by other methods. Therapy with these drugs requires strict monitoring by the attending physician and regular laboratory blood tests. Self-treatment with statins is unacceptable.
- Tatyana
- Konstantin
