Paper I
2024 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) · 40 marks · 120 min

Question

Atorvastatin

Q63 marksShort Notes

Answer

Atorvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (“statin”).

MOA: atorvastatincompetitively inhibits HMG-CoA reductase (the rate-limiting enzyme in hepatic cholesterol synthesis) → ↓hepatic cholesterol synthesis → compensatory upregulation of hepatic LDL receptors → increased clearance of LDL from plasma.

Uses: hypercholesterolemia, primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, acute coronary syndrome (started early, independent of baseline lipid levels — plaque-stabilizing effect).

Adverse effects: myopathy/myalgia (rare progression to rhabdomyolysis, risk increased by drug interactions — e.g. with fibrates, macrolides), hepatotoxicity (transaminase elevation), teratogenicity (contraindicated in pregnancy).

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