Criteria for Prescribing Statins

Statins, also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, are a group of medications designed to lower harmful cholesterol. Doctors use a number of criteria to ensure safe patient use of these products.

The Facts

• Statins achieve their effects by blocking the production of cholesterol in the body. Common examples of these products include atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor).

Main Criteria

• According to the Mayo Clinic, statin use is typically indicated by the presence of high cholesterol in combination with other harmful health factors. These factors may include smoking, family history, age, diabetes, high blood pressure and narrowed arteries in the arms, legs or neck.

Lifestyle Modification

• Patients who use statins should not rely solely on their effects to reduce cholesterol. Adoption of a healthier overall lifestyle is critical to successful cholesterol management.

Long-Term Use

• Patients who use statins must also be prepared to use them long-term. In some cases, lifestyle changes are sufficient to lower cholesterol and allow discontinuation of medication, but lifelong reliance on their effects may be required.

Side Effects

• Due to the long-term use of statins, patients must tolerate them without development of serious side effects. These effects may include a dangerous breakdown of muscular tissue (rhabdomyolysis) or liver damage.