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Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Lipophilic Statins vs Hydrophilic Statins
Lipophilic statins for dyslipidemia penetrate muscle more easily than hydrophilic statins and are associated with a higher incidence of adverse effects.
List of statins for dyslipidemia and lipophilic versus hydrophilic treatments:
- Fluvastatin (Lescol)
- Lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev)
- Pravastatin (Pravachol)
- Simvastatin (Zocor)
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
- Pitavastatin (Livalo)
Explanation:
- Myalgia may be related to lipophilicity (fat loving) and to high dosage, as well as interaction with other medications.
- Lipophilic statins penetrate muscle more easily than hydrophilic statins and are associated with a higher incidence of adverse effects, particularly myopathy, although reports of muscle toxicity, including rhabdomyolysis, have been reported with all statins.
- Hydrophilic statins stay out of muscle and brain tissue, which are fat filled.
Reference