ASHP therapeutic position statement on the use of statins in the prevention of atherosclerotic vascular disease in adults

• Published in: American journal of health-system pharmacy Vol. 60; no. 6; pp. 593 - 598
• Main Authors: Granberry, Mark C., Patchin, Gary M., Malesker, Mark A., Novak, Holly, Talbert, Robert L., Trujillo, Toby C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD ASHP 15.03.2003; American Society of Health Pharmacists
• Subjects: Anticholesteremic Agents - adverse effects; Anticholesteremic Agents - therapeutic use; Arteriosclerosis - etiology; Arteriosclerosis - physiopathology; Arteriosclerosis - prevention & control; Biological and medical sciences; General and cellular metabolism. Vitamins; Health Services Research; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - adverse effects; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Hypercholesterolemia - complications; Hypercholesterolemia - drug therapy; Medical sciences; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Risk Factors; Societies, Pharmaceutical; United States; United States; Human; Secondary; Cardiovascular disease; Metabolic diseases; Lipids; Hyperlipoproteinemia; Statin derivative; Recommendation; Vascular disease; Prevention; Chemotherapy; Hypercholesterolemia; Treatment; Atherosclerosis; Primary; Complication; Dyslipemia; Antilipemic agent
• ISSN: 1079-2082; 1535-2900
• DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/60.6.593

Elevated blood cholesterol levels contribute significantly to ASVD and are often undertreated or not treated at all. Evaluation and management of lipid disorders should be guided by current NCEP guidelines. For patients with elevated cholesterol levels after appropriate therapeutic lifestyle changes, statins are a safe and effective means of reducing cardiovascular events. Because of their proven safety and effectiveness, ASHP supports the use of statins as first-line therapy for the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic events.