statin

noun

stat·​in ˈsta-tᵊn 

: 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

Examples of statin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Because of this interaction, people who take certain medications, such as some statins for high cholesterol and some antibiotics, are advised to avoid grapefruit juice.14 Metoprolol does not interact with grapefruit juice. —Karen Berger, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 25 Oct. 2024

What’s more, early studies also suggested that statins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and insulin had a positive effect on Alzheimer’s, but none of those treatments panned out. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 24 Oct. 2024

Focus on lifestyle changes Modern medicine has amazing drugs — such as statins and cholesterol-lowering medications — that can prevent or slow heart disease, especially if caught early, Freeman said. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 10 Oct. 2024

Studies have shown that statins lower the risk of heart attack in people with high LDL cholesterol. —Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from -statin (as in lovastatin)

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

statin

noun

stat·​in ˈstat-ᵊn 

: 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