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Statins, HMG CoA

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) · FDA-approved active Small molecule ✓ Verified May 2026

Statins, HMG CoA is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor Small molecule drug developed by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). It is currently FDA-approved for Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in high-risk patients, Secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with established coronary artery disease, Hypercholesterolemia.

Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis, thereby reducing LDL cholesterol levels.

Statins are a class of small molecule drugs that lower cholesterol levels in the blood, primarily used to treat conditions such as hypercholesterolemia, coronary heart disease, and diastolic dysfunction. They work by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is involved in the production of cholesterol in the liver.

At a glance

Generic nameStatins, HMG CoA
SponsorNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Drug classHMG-CoA reductase inhibitor
TargetHMG-CoA reductase
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaCardiovascular
PhaseFDA-approved

Mechanism of action

HMG-CoA reductase converts HMG-CoA to mevalonate, a critical early step in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. By competitively inhibiting this enzyme, statins decrease hepatic cholesterol production, which triggers upregulation of LDL receptors on liver cells and increases clearance of LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream. This leads to reduced circulating LDL levels and has pleiotropic anti-inflammatory and endothelial protective effects.

Approved indications

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

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Frequently asked questions about Statins, HMG CoA

What is Statins, HMG CoA?

Statins, HMG CoA is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor drug developed by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), indicated for Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in high-risk patients, Secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with established coronary artery disease, Hypercholesterolemia.

How does Statins, HMG CoA work?

Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis, thereby reducing LDL cholesterol levels.

What is Statins, HMG CoA used for?

Statins, HMG CoA is indicated for Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in high-risk patients, Secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with established coronary artery disease, Hypercholesterolemia, Dyslipidemia.

Who makes Statins, HMG CoA?

Statins, HMG CoA is developed and marketed by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) (see full National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) pipeline at /company/national-heart-lung-and-blood-institute-nhlbi).

What drug class is Statins, HMG CoA in?

Statins, HMG CoA belongs to the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor class. See all HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor drugs at /class/hmg-coa-reductase-inhibitor.

What development phase is Statins, HMG CoA in?

Statins, HMG CoA is FDA-approved (marketed).

What are the side effects of Statins, HMG CoA?

Common side effects of Statins, HMG CoA include Muscle pain or myalgia, Elevated liver enzymes (transaminitis), Rhabdomyolysis, Headache, Gastrointestinal upset.

What does Statins, HMG CoA target?

Statins, HMG CoA targets HMG-CoA reductase and is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

Related

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing