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Podcast: Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals
Episode: Statin Test Prep and Practice Pearls
Description: On this podcast episode, I discuss important practice pearls and important test prep information about statins. Statins are cornerstone agents for ASCVD risk reduction, so test questions often focus on indication, intensity, and monitoring. Health care professionals should quickly identify statin intensity: high-intensity therapy (atorvastatin 40–80 mg, rosuvastatin 20–40 mg) lowers LDL by ~50% and is indicated for patients with clinical ASCVD, LDL ≥190 mg/dL, or high-risk diabetes patients age 40–75. Moderate-intensity statins (e.g., atorvastatin 10–20 mg, simvastatin 20–40 mg) are commonly tested for primary prevention.
Statin-associated muscle symptoms range from myalgias (most common, normal CK) to rare but serious rhabdomyolysis (marked CK elevation...