statin

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noun stat·in \ ˈsta-tᵊn \

Definition of statin

:any of a group of drugs (such as lovastatin and simvastatin) that inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol and promote the production of LDL-binding receptors in the liver resulting in a usually marked decrease in the level of LDL and a modest increase in the level of HDL circulating in blood plasma

Recent Examples of statin from the Web

Generic versions of brand-name statin cholesterol pills including Lipitor, Crestor and Merck’s own Zocor now cost $10 to $20 a month.

— linda a. johnson, The Seattle Times, "New drug reduces heart attacks, but is that enough?," 28 Aug. 2017
This is important because, despite our very good efforts over the past half-century to lower blood lipids (largely through the use of statins and changes in diet), heart disease remains the No.

— Fortune, "Brainstorm Health: Novartis Inflammation Drug, Gilead Buys Kite, Children’s Health Insurance," 28 Aug. 2017
The heart attack patients who enrolled all had high CRP levels and were given the best treatments available, including aggressive statin therapy.

— jennifer couzin-frankel, Science | AAAS, "Anti-inflammatory cuts risk of heart attack," 27 Aug. 2017
But researchers are more divided over why people abandon statins.

— melissa healy, latimes.com, "Fake news about statins is discouraging the use of these life-saving drugs, expert warns," 24 July 2017
Modern research has demonstrated that RYR contains statin-type compounds and lowers cholesterol (Atherosclerosis, June 2015).

— teresa graedon, The Seattle Times, "Red yeast rice sends cholesterol plunging," 25 June 2017
Red yeast rice should never be taken in addition to a statin, Becker noted.

— karen weintraub, USA TODAY, "Red yeast rice - Can it lower your bad cholesterol?," 23 June 2017
Monacolin K is chemically the same as the active ingredient in lovastatin, a type of prescription statin.

— karen weintraub, USA TODAY, "Red yeast rice - Can it lower your bad cholesterol?," 23 June 2017
One of those two drugs is a statin, a drug widely prescribed to prevent heart disease.

— esther landhuis, Scientific American, "Wanted: More Data, the Dirtier the Better," 12 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'statin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of statin

from -statin (as in lovastatin)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1985

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

statin

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noun stat·in \ ˈstat-ᵊn \

medical Definition of statin

:any of a group of lipid-lowering drugs (as lovastatin and simvastatin) that function by inhibiting a liver enzyme which controls the synthesis of cholesterol and by promoting the production of LDL-binding receptors in the liver resulting in a usually marked decrease in the level of LDL and a modest increase in the level of HDL circulating in blood plasma