Lovastatin-Mevacor: Difference between revisions
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== Health & Disease in Humans == | == Health & Disease in Humans == | ||
Cells require cholesterol because it aids in the structure of cell membranes by restricting the membrane from being too fluid <ref name= "ten">High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need To Know. (2005, June). Retrieved March 28, 2017, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/resources/heart/heart-cholesterol-hbc-what-html</ref>. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) carry cholesterol to and from cells. Also, cholesterol is also not able to dissolve in blood and require these lipoproteins for transportation. These lipoproteins and triglyceride levels are what account for an individual’s total cholesterol count. LDL is termed as “bad” cholesterol because of its relationship with plaque, a thick and hard build of cholesterol that can block arteries. HDL aids in the removal of LDL from the arteries and carries it back to the liver where it can be broken down and expelled from the body. <ref name= "twelve">Good vs. Bad Cholesterol. (2014, April). Retrieved March 28, 2017, from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/Good-vs-Bad-Cholesterol_UCM_305561_Article.jsp#.WNrV_RiZPGI</ref> | |||
. A total cholesterol level less than 200 mg/dL is recommended by healthcare providers <ref name= "eleven">Good vs. Bad Cholesterol. (2014, April). Retrieved March 28, 2017, from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/Good-vs-Bad-Cholesterol_UCM_305561_Article.jsp#.WNrV_RiZPGI</ref>. Elevated levels of cholesterol in the arteries can directly influence the risk of heart attacks, strokes, atherosclerosis and other heart diseases <ref name= "twelve"/>. Typically, diet and exercise can limit the buildup of cholesterol in the body. Dieting includes consuming lower amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol, and exercise includes regular physical activity every other day for 30 minutes is ideal. However, there are cases where dieting and exercise do not help reduce elevated LDL levels. In these situations, health care providers will recommend the use of medications. Statins are drugs used for lowering elevated cholesterol levels in the blood<ref name= "seventeen">Statins: MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/statins.html (accessed Apr 20, 2017).</ref> Statins interrupt the production of cholesterol in your liver by increasing the amount of LDL receptors on cell surfaces, which increases LDL uptake by cells and lowers the amount of LDL left in the blood <ref name="one"/>. | |||
Cells require cholesterol because it aids in the structure of cell membranes by restricting the membrane from being too fluid <ref name= "ten">High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need To Know. (2005, June). Retrieved March 28, 2017, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/resources/heart/heart-cholesterol-hbc-what-html</ref>. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) carry cholesterol to and from cells. Also, cholesterol is also not able to dissolve in blood and require these lipoproteins for transportation. These lipoproteins and triglyceride levels are what account for an individual’s total cholesterol count. LDL is termed as “bad” cholesterol because of its relationship with plaque, a thick and hard build of cholesterol that can block arteries. HDL aids in the removal of LDL from the arteries and carries it back to the liver where it can be broken down and expelled from the body. <ref name= "twelve"/> | |||
. A total cholesterol level less than 200 mg/dL is recommended by healthcare providers <ref name= "eleven">Good vs. Bad Cholesterol. (2014, April). Retrieved March 28, 2017, from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/Good-vs-Bad-Cholesterol_UCM_305561_Article.jsp#.WNrV_RiZPGI</ref>. Elevated levels of cholesterol in the arteries can directly influence the risk of heart attacks, strokes, atherosclerosis and other heart diseases <ref name= "twelve"/>. Typically, diet and exercise can limit the buildup of cholesterol in the body. Dieting includes consuming lower amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol, and exercise includes regular physical activity every other day for 30 minutes is ideal. However, there are cases where dieting and exercise do not help reduce elevated LDL levels. In these situations, health care providers will recommend the use of medications. Statins are drugs used for lowering elevated cholesterol levels in the blood <ref name= "seventeen"/> Statins interrupt the production of cholesterol in your liver by increasing the amount of LDL receptors on cell surfaces, which increases LDL uptake by cells and lowers the amount of LDL left in the blood <ref name="one"/>. | |||
Mevacor (Lovastatin) can treat high levels of LDL cholesterol and triglyceride. This in turn leads to the reduction of heart attacks, angina, coronary revascularization procedures in individuals without symptomatic cardiovascular disease. Also used for individuals suffering from coronary heart disease <ref name= "twelve"/>. | Mevacor (Lovastatin) can treat high levels of LDL cholesterol and triglyceride. This in turn leads to the reduction of heart attacks, angina, coronary revascularization procedures in individuals without symptomatic cardiovascular disease. Also used for individuals suffering from coronary heart disease <ref name= "twelve"/>. | ||
Severe side effects when taking Lovastatin include constipation, memory loss or forgetfulness, confusion. Other side effects that occur when taking this drug include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and muscle pain <ref name= "three">Ogbru, O., PharmD. (2015, September 30). Lovastatin, Mevacor, Altoprev: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing (J. W. Marks MD, Ed.). Retrieved March 28, 2017, from http://www.medicinenet.com/lovastatin/article.htm </ref> | Severe side effects when taking Lovastatin include constipation, memory loss or forgetfulness, confusion. Other side effects that occur when taking this drug include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and muscle pain <ref name= "three">Ogbru, O., PharmD. (2015, September 30). Lovastatin, Mevacor, Altoprev: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing (J. W. Marks MD, Ed.). Retrieved March 28, 2017, from http://www.medicinenet.com/lovastatin/article.htm </ref> | ||