Statins - Similarities and differences

The number of statins available to physicians continues to grow, leading to the question: Are all statins alike? Comparisons of side effects and safet y profiles and the dose-response relationship among the different drugs sho w similar results. The cholesterol-lowering action of each depends on its a bility to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). On the other h and, the molecular structures of the newer statins are not similar and coul d have an effect on the mechanism of action of the compounds. Differences i n metabolism also suggest the possibility of serious drug-drug interactions , and differences in levels of lipid reduction at varying dosages among the statins point to clinical variation as well.