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The Curious Bag
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Statins are a drug used to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as "bad" cholesterol, while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good" cholesterol. Statins are made up of either natural or synthetic materials.
History
The first statin, Mevacor, was approved by the FDA in 1987 after the drug company Merck isolated a substance called lovastatin in 1979. Lovastatin was derived from a fungus called Aspergillus terreus.
Modern Statins
Modern statins come from the fermentation of bacteria or are synthetically manufactured. There is no evidence that one version has a more beneficial effect than the other.
Exception
One exception is the statin pravastatin. This statin is derived from another statin (compactin) that comes from red rice yeast. Compactin had too many side effects, so it was pulled off the market.
Preservatives
There are also preservatives in statins that help the body process the drug more easily, and also act as coloration. These ingredients can include citric acid, iron oxides and starch.
Function
Statins help people with high cholesterol by slowing down the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme is responsible for the production of cholesterol.
Source:
University of Michigan Business School: Case 10: Merck(A): Mevacor
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