Vytorin: Difference between revisions

Simvastatin interferes in the production of cholesterol. To produce cholesterol, Acetyl CoA is converted into HMG-CoA, which is then converted into mevalonate. Mevalonate is then converted into isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP), IPP is converted into squalene, and then finally squalene is converted into cholesterol. Simvastatin reduces the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, therefore lowering cholesterol levels. Simvastatin targets <scene name='75/757901/Hmg-coa_reductase_w_simvastin/1'>HMG-CoA reductase</scene> which is the enzyme responsible for said conversion. With the synthesis of cholesterol being divided into 5 major steps, this inability to convert targets only the second step in cholesterol synthesis.

When the drug is administered it is initially inactive. It must be hydrolyzed in order to become active. Once hydrolyzed, simvastatin reduces the amount of mevalonic acid in the blood by competing for HMG-CoA reductase with HMG-CoA.