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

Half of the 1,500 patients in the study began a regimen of cardiac medications that included blood thinners, statins, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors. —Paula Span, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025

Since statins can adjust inflammatory pathways, the medications may help reduce nerve cell damage, said Westphal Filho. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 3 Feb. 2025

Examples of statins include Lipitor (atorvastatin), lovastatin, and Zocor (simvastatin). Vitamin D may lower how well a statin is absorbed in your blood and travels through your body. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 13 Jan. 2025

For example, a clinician might ask whether statins would be more effective than diet and exercise to lower LDL cholesterol for a 50 year-old male with no other risk factors. —Aaron J. Masino, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from -statin (as in lovastatin)

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for statin

• aten
• clayton
• satan
• straighten
• creatine

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