Question

Calvin is a 15-year-old, obese young man with severely elevated serum lipid levels. The healthcare team has decided to prescribe lovastatin (Mevacor).

a)What are the concerns for teenagers who are taking lovastatin?

b)What classification of lipid-lowering medication is lovastatin, and how does it work?

c)What impact does weight, specifically obesity, have on lipid levels?

Answer 1

a)Once lovastatin starts taking action,it will reduce the levels of cholestrol in the persons body.To acheive optimum resulta lovastatin must be coupled with other drugs especially in teens.This includes regualr exercise,proper diet and adequate rest.In order to help lovastatin to help improve the condition ,he should also be able to reduce the intake of foods that are high in fat and cholestrol.The only concern over the long term potential risk for children and adolescents who use it for years and decades shows the effect on developing central nervous system,hormone levels,immune function and organs.

b)Lovastatin is used in the treatment of dyslipidemia and the prevention of cardio vascular diseases.It is an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaryl coenzyme -A reductase(HMG-CoA reductase) an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of it to mevalonate.It is required building block for cholestrol biosynthesis and lovastatin interferes with its production by acting as a reversible competetive inhibitor for HMG-CoA reductase.

c)Being obese can raise blood cholestrol and triglyceride levels.HDL cholestrol is linked with lower heart disease and stroke risk,so low LDL tends to raise the risk,increases blood pressure.