statin

noun stat·in \ ˈsta-tᵊn \

|Updated on: 6 Jun 2018

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

The now widely used statins, for example, emerged from a clearer understanding of the biochemical steps of cholesterol synthesis and how cells handle cholesterol and other lipids.

— mark c. fishman, STAT, "The miracle of medicines," 7 May 2018
Another shortcoming, notes biochemist Jan Gettemans of Ghent University, is that unlike many important drugs, including statins and the anti-HIV drug azidothymidine, the antibodies can't enter cells on their own.

— mitch leslie, Science | AAAS, "Mini-antibodies discovered in sharks and camels could lead to drugs for cancer and other diseases," 10 May 2018
In a study on more than 2,200 patients already taking statins, Esperion’s drug cut bad cholesterol 20 percent better than placebo over 12 weeks, the company said.

— damian garde, STAT, "A tiny biotech’s plot to frustrate Regeneron and Sanofi runs into a safety problem," 2 May 2018
The current labeling on statin prescriptions doesn’t help matters.

— jane e. brody, New York Times, "Weighing the Pros and Cons of Statins," 16 Apr. 2018
The treatment potentially decreases the risk of heart attack and stroke and is considered more effective than other cholesterol-lowering medications, ezetimibe and statin.

— kirsten korosec, Fortune, "A $14,000 Cholesterol Drug Is Getting A 69% Price Cut," 1 May 2018
Research in medical genetics has led to cancer drugs that target specific genetic mutations in tumor cells, as well as statins, which are widely prescribed to prevent heart attacks and strokes by lowering blood cholesterol.

— denise grady, New York Times, "Arno Motulsky, a Founder of Medical Genetics, Dies at 94," 29 Jan. 2018
Most people in the analysis were being treated for heart disease, cancer or kidney transplants, and were taking warfarin, statins, chemotherapy drugs or immunosuppressants.

— amanda macmillan, Time, "Herbal Supplements May Be Dangerous When You Take Certain Prescription Drugs," 24 Jan. 2018
The finding helps lay the groundwork for cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins.

— gary robbins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Timeline: The illustrated history of the UC San Diego School of Medicine," 18 Mar. 2018

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

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

statin

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