Benefits and Risks of Lochol Case Study

Lochol

This prescription medicine is a hard capsule, which comes in sizes 1 and 3 and in 20 mg and in 10 mg (MIMS, 2010). Manufactured by Clonmel Healrhcare Ltd., its active ingredient is fluvastatin. Size 3 has 20 mg of the active ingredient and with a white body and a blue cap. Size 1 has a white body and a green cap (MIMS).

Benefits

Lochol is indicated for primary hypercholesterolaemia and mixed dyslipidaemia or high cholesterol (MIMS, 2010). It supports the diet of individuals suffering from high total cholesterol levels and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and their modified diet and other treatments are insufficient or inadequate in managing the condition (MIMS).

Lochol is also prescribed to patients suffering from coronary heart disease and for the adjust prevention of coronary conditions, which can follow coronary transcatheter treatment (MIMS, 2010). These include cardiac death, myocardial infarction, which is not fatal, and revascularization in the heart (MIMS).

Its active ingredient, fluvastatin, lowers cholesterol levels by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, which converts HMG-CoA into mevalonate, a precursor of sterols (MIMS, 2010). Cholesterol is one of these sterols. Fluvastatin asserts its strongest impact on the liver. It goes with one of two erythro enantiomers, which produces the effect. By inhibiting the biosynthesis of cholesterol, it reduces the amount of cholesterol in the liver. It thus stimulates the absorption of LDL receptors and increases the absorption of LDL particles. These mechanisms lead to the decrease of cholesterol concentration in the blood (MIMS).

Risks

Lochol is contraindicated for hypersensitivity to fluvastatin, active liver disease or unexplained and sustained high levels of transaminases in the blood (MIMS, 2010). It is likewise contraindicated for pregnancy and lactation. When prescribed, the function of the liver should be monitored before and at intervals during treatment. It should be discontinued in the event of an persistent increase in AST or ALT beyond 3%. It is to be administered with caution to patients with history of liver disease, heavy drinkers, impaired liver, hypothyroidism, and those with a personal or family history of hereditary muscular disorders or toxic response to a statin and old age. Treatment should be discontinued if myopathy, myositis or rhabdomyolysis occurs or when the patient suffers from severe discomfort on a daily basis. Lochol may also interact with several other drugs, such as fibrates and rifampicin. Among the observed drug reactions to lochol are insomnia, headache, fatigue, dizziness, disorders…