What are statin
-drug that ↓ production of cholesterol
- Also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors


What it does?
-slow down formation or reduce size of plague
-stabilises plague
-reduces vascular inflammation
-immunosuppressive

Clinical uses of statin

1. Preventing and treating atherosclerosis that causes chest pain, heart attacks, strokes, and intermittent claudication.
2. Secondary prevention of MI and stroke patients who have symptomatic atherosclerotic disease
3. Primary prevention of arterial disease in patient who are at high risk
4. Lowers serum cholesterol in patients with (homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia)
5. Severe drug resistant hypercholesterolaemia

Other benefits of statins could include a reduced risk of:
• Arthritis and bone fractures
• Some forms of cancer(including colorectal and skin cancers)
• Dementia and Alzheimer's disease
• Kidney disease
• Side effects
Side effects
Common:
• Muscle and joint aches
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
More serious:
- Liver damage- permanent liver damage
- Muscle problems (tenderness and muscle pain)

Questions to ask before prescribing Statin
1) Is the patient free of liver disease
2) Does s/he has serious kidney failure
3) Statin intolerance?
4) Is patient taking taking gemfibrozil or cyclosporine?
5) Fasting triglycerides below 300mg/dl?

Links for referencing
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/statins
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/statins/CL00010
http://www.medicinenet.com/statins/article.htm
http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/ucardgrp/statin_alert.html
Rang and Dale Pharmacology

Aspirin

- A type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory Drug or NSAID
Functions
- Effective in treating fever, pain and inflammation
- Anti-plalete

Clinical uses
- Used to treat pain and inflammation from arthritis etc
- Relives fever
- Reduce risk of stroke and recurrent stroke (tho not advised during a stroke)
- Prevent heart attack
Side effect
-Gastrointestinal system
-Ringing in the ears
- Stomach irritation
-easy bruising
Contraindication
1) Allergy
2) Age under 12
3) Bleeding disorder
4) History of recent gastrointestinal and intracranial bleeding

Links for refrencing
1) http://www.orthop.washington.edu/uw/medications/tabID__3376/ItemID__72/PageID__34/Articles/Default.aspx.
2) http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4456
3) http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/36/section11.html
4) Rang and Dale pharmacology