Long-term Safety of Hepatic Hydroxymethyl Glutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Inhibitors

The hepatic hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (HMGs) have an excellent safety profile. 1,2 Each of the 6 members of this therapeutic class (lovastatin, 3 simvastatin, 4 pravastatin, 5 fluvastatin, 6 atorvastatin, 7 and cerivastatin 8 ) has a low risk (< 1%) of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Nevertheless, some differences in safety have emerged within this category. The physicochemical properties of the HMGs may have important clinical implications. There are metabolic differences among the 6 available HMGs that may translate into significant differences in long-term safety.