EMERGING DRUG INTERACTIONS WITH STATINS: MECHANISMS AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES

Abstract

Statins are widely used lipid-lowering drugs to prevent heart diseases and are used in both primary and secondary prevention settings. Although stains appear relatively safe but mostly are associated with serious adverse effects like myalgia, myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. These adverse effects are often related to statin- drug interactions. These interactions are associated with the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of drug. The severity of these interactions depends upon the type of specific statin involved and interacting drug. However, factors like advanced age, polypharmacy, co-morbidities increase the risk of adverse effects. So various methodologies and strategies are employed to manage these adverse effects and to increase the therapeutic efficacy. Different strategies like avoidance of high-risk drug combination, dose adjustment, and the use of alternative stations or other safer combinations are employed. It is necessary to clinically educate patients about serious strain-drug interactions. Furthermore, statins may produce a synergistic effect in combination with chemotherapeutic agents. Further research direction also considered to alleviate the risk of adverse effects and improve therapeutic efficacy. This article discusses the mechanisms of statin drug interactions, their clinical outcomes and different strategies to overcome the adverse effects and minimize the risk factors.