Hyperlipidemia Case StudyA 70-year old hypertensive and diabetic male is taking an ACE inhibitor and a thiazide for his hypertension. For his type II diabetes he is taking metformin. Both his hypertension and blood glucose are within normal range.
Routine blood work reveals normal renal function and liver enzymes. His total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is elevated.To reduce the risk of coronary artery disease he is commenced on hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor. Mechanism of ActionThere are several different types of statins that help lower cholesterol. Statins interfere with the substance the body utilizes to make cholesterol.
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Statins are frequently prescribed medications for both preventive measures and maintenance (Golan, 2004). The ADA, (2017) suggests individuals with diabetes should take statins to lower risk factors. The less risk, the greater chances an individual will not have a cerebrovascular accident.
Cholesterol values, age, other health problems, factor whether medication is warranted.Recent guidelines presented by the ACC-AHA (2016) recommended people with cardiovascular disease, with an LDL cholesterol level of 190 mg/dL or higher; take medication. As a practicing practitioner, I will place this patient on Lipitor 10 mg. Tolerance and effectiveness will be monitored monthly; and quarterly thereafter.Adverse Effects and InteractionsSome studies show statins elevate blood glucose.
This may be a concern for a person with diabetes or someone who’s at increased risk of developing diabetes. Blood glucose will be monitored daily to ensure there is no increase. Common side effects of atorvastatin is cold symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and coughing, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, joint pain forgetfulness and confusion. These side effects are mild and should disappear in a couple of weeks.
The patient should report muscle problems such as unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain or tiredness or liver problems (tiredness or weakness, loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, and dark-colored urine, yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes). Severe allergic reactions can occur such as swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing. Patient should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room, it that occurs (Katzung, 2017). Atorvastatin may interact with other medications, vitamins, herbs, antibiotics (charithromycin, erythromycin), fungal drugs (itraconazole, ketoconazole), cholesterol-lowering drugs (gemfibrozil, medications that contain fibrate, niacin), Rifampin, HIV and Hepatitis C drugs (boceprevir, daruavir, fosamprenavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, tipranavir, teleprevir), Digoxin, oral birth control pills, and Colchicine. Medications will be managed carefully to avoid this occurrence (Katzung, 2017). ConclusionMaking lifestyle changes is always challenging, especially when it comes to managing high cholesterol.
Lifestyle changes may assist individuals move closer to meeting the desired health goals and sticking with them too. As a practicing practitioner, it’s important to monitor side effects from statin medications periodically. Depending on what the side effect is or its severity, a dosage adjustment may be required or a switch to an entirely different cholesterol-lowering medication. Careful monitoring of glucose and labs will help assure the correct treatment regimen is prescribed and effective. ReferencesAmerican College of Cardiology-American Heart Association (ACC/AHA ) (2016).
Low statin use in people with diabetes despite cardioprotective effects, guidelines. Retrieved June 3, 2018 from www.acc.orgAmerican Diabetes Association (ADA) (2017). HMG CoA reductase inhibitors. Retrieved June 2, 2018 from www.ada.
orgGolan, D. (2004) Principles of Pharmacology: The Pathophysiologic Basis of Drug Therapy, Second Edition.Katzung, B. (2017). Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. Cholesterol medications.
Retrieved February 24th, 2018, from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/PreventionTreatmentofHighCholesterol/Cholesterol-Medications_UCM_305632_Article.jsp#.WpHgd5PwZTY
