The first statin to be discovered, in 1976, was mevastatin; a compound of natural origin isolated for the first time from cultures of two species of fungus belonging to the genus Penicillium and which can be considered as the precursor to all statins.
Several years later, a new compound with similar chemical structure was isolated from cultures of Aspergillus terreus And Monascus ruber, which was given the name of lovastatin (note: the current lovastatin used in therapy is a synthetic derivative of that isolated from the aforementioned mushrooms).
Statins, to exert their therapeutic effect must be taken orally. They can be used either alone or in combination with other active ingredients, to increase or extend the therapeutic effect of the medicine.
Although widely used, statins can cause various side effects and have many contraindications. For this reason, their use should only be done under medical supervision. Not surprisingly, statin-based medicines can only be sold on prescription.
