Cardiovascular Drugs and Medications Q 51

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Which of the following lipid-lowering agents has the common side effect of constipation?

  

     A. lovastatin (Mevacor)

     B. colestipol (Colestid)

     C. gemfibrozil (Lopid)

     D. niacin (Nicotinic acid)

    

    

Correct Answer: A. lovastatin (Mevacor)

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Mevacor is known to cause constipation. Although they offer substantial benefits in decreasing heart attacks and strokes, statins sometimes cause side effects. About 10% to 20% of people who take statins report experiencing muscle pain or muscle cramps, while others complain of nausea, trouble sleeping, diarrhea, or constipation.

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Option B: Colestipol is an oral cholesterol-lowering drug that is not absorbed from the intestine into the body. Rather, it works by binding to bile acids in the intestine and promoting the elimination of bile acids in the stool.

Option C: Gemfibrozil is used along with a proper diet to help lower fats (triglycerides) and raise “good” cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It may also help to lower “bad” cholesterol (LDL). Gemfibrozil belongs to a group of drugs known as “fibrates.” It works by decreasing the amount of fat produced by the liver.

Option D: Niacin (a combination of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide), a B vitamin (vitamin B3), is a pharmacotherapeutic agent that has been used since 1955, making it the oldest, pleiotropic hypolipidemic agent. The vitamin plays a role in both neuroprotection and neuronal death, giving it the utmost importance in the proper functioning of the central nervous system (CNS), neuronal development, and function.

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