A 70 year old hypertensive and diabetic male is taking an ACE inhibitor and a thiazide for his hypertension. For his type II diabetes he is taking metformin. Both his hypertension and blood glucose are within normal range.
Routine blood work reveals normal renal function and liver enzymes. His total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) is elevated.
To reduce the risk of coronary artery disease he is commenced on a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.
Questions 1.What drugs fall under a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. 2.What is the mechanism of action of this drug. 3.What effect will this drug have on total LDL and cholesterol levels. 4.What are the common adverse effects and drug interactions?