Analysis of utilization of medication from A02BA and A02BC group – results of the survey study among patients from community pharmacy

Abstract

Central nervous system effects of statins: benefit or risk? • 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, more commonly referred to as statins, are principal therapeutic agents for the treatment of dyslipidaemia. and primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. In addition to lipid-lowering abilities, statins have pleiotropic properties that include antithrombotic, antiinflammatory, antioxidative, immunomodulatory, and antiexcitotoxic effects. These drugs are generally well tolerated and serious adverse events are rare. Both case reports and pharmacovigilance data have demonstrated the occurrence of neuropsychiatric reactions associated with statin treatment, such as memory loss, depression, suicidality, aggression and sleep disturbance. However, over recent years, statins have also been shown to exert neuroprotective effects that might be of therapeutic benefit in neuropsychiatric disorders. In the present paper the statins' effects on the central nervous system are described.