Cerivastatin is a drug used for lipid-lowering purposes. The word "cerivastatin" is spelled as /sɛrəˈvæstətɪn/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The initial sound is /s/, followed by the short "e" vowel sound /ɛ/. The "r" sound is pronounced next, followed by the vowel sound /ə/. The second syllable starts with the sound /v/ and is followed by the "a" sound /æ/. The last syllable has the sound /stətɪn/, in which the sound /st/ followed by the vowel /ə/ and finally the sound /tɪn/.
Cerivastatin is a pharmaceutical drug that falls under the category of statins, which are a class of drugs primarily used to lower cholesterol levels in the body. It is also known by its brand name, Baycol. Cerivastatin works by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is responsible for the production of cholesterol in the liver.
This drug is prescribed to individuals with high cholesterol levels, specifically those who have been diagnosed with hyperlipidemia or dyslipidemia. By reducing the production of cholesterol in the body, cerivastatin helps to lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, which is commonly referred to as "bad" cholesterol. It also increases the levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, often referred to as "good" cholesterol.
However, it is important to note that cerivastatin has been withdrawn from worldwide markets due to safety concerns. Although it was initially approved by regulatory authorities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), reports of severe muscle toxicity and rhabdomyolysis (a condition characterized by the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue) led to its withdrawal from the market in the early 2000s.
In summary, cerivastatin is a statin drug used to lower cholesterol levels in individuals with hyperlipidemia or dyslipidemia. Its mechanism of action involves inhibiting cholesterol production in the liver. However, it has been discontinued due to safety concerns associated with severe muscle toxicity and rhabdomyolysis.
The word "cerivastatin" is a combination of two components: "ceri-" and "-vastatin".
1. "Ceri-" is derived from "cerium", which is a chemical element with the symbol "Ce" and atomic number 58. It is named after the asteroid Ceres, which was discovered two years prior to the discovery of cerium.
2. "-vastatin" is a suffix used in the names of various statin drugs. Statins are a class of drugs commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular diseases. The suffix "-vastatin" was first used in the name of the drug "lovastatin" and has been retained in subsequent statin drugs.
Combining these two components, "cerivastatin" refers to a specific statin drug that contains the element cerium in its chemical structure.