lovastatin

noun
lov·​a·​stat·​in | \ ˈlō-və-ˌsta-tᵊn How to pronounce lovastatin (audio) , ˈlə-; ˌlō-və-ˈsta-, ˌlə- How to pronounce lovastatin (audio) \

Definition of lovastatin

: a drug C24H36O8 that decreases the level of cholesterol in the bloodstream

Examples of lovastatin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fungi are the basis for many drugs, including the antibiotic penicillin, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine and the cholesterol buster lovastatin, so Blanchette wondered if these Antarctic species might produce any useful molecules. Peter Andrey Smith, Scientific American, "Microbes Living in Antarctic Huts Produce Novel Chemical Compounds," 1 June 2018 Fungi are the basis for many drugs, including the antibiotic penicillin, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine and the cholesterol buster lovastatin, so Blanchette wondered if these Antarctic species might produce any useful molecules. Peter Andrey Smith, Scientific American, "Microbes Living in Antarctic Huts Produce Novel Chemical Compounds," 1 June 2018 For example, studies in mice suggested that a drug called lovastatin might help to address the learning and attentional problems that accompany NF-1. Ed Yong, The Atlantic, "Turning Piglets Into Personalized Avatars for Sick Kids," 13 Dec. 2017 Of the 56 million Americans who are considered candidates for drugs with names like simvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin and atorvastatin, just about half that number take them. Melissa Healy, latimes.com, "Fake news about statins is discouraging the use of these life-saving drugs, expert warns," 24 July 2017 In 2014, the federal agency warned one red yeast rice producer that its supplement contained too much lovastatin, and so could not be sold as a supplement. Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, "Red yeast rice - Can it lower your bad cholesterol?," 23 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lovastatin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of lovastatin

1987, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for lovastatin

probably from International Scientific Vocabulary mevalonic acid, a carboxylic acid, C6H12O4 (from methyl + valeric + -onic — as in gluconic acid) + mevastatin, a fungal metabolite structurally similar to lovastatin, from mevalonic + -stat + -in entry 1

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More Definitions for lovastatin

lovastatin

noun
lov·​a·​stat·​in | \ ˈlō-və-ˌstat-ᵊn, ˈləv-ə-\

Medical Definition of lovastatin

: a statin C24H36O8 that decreases the level of cholesterol in the bloodstream by inhibiting the liver enzyme that controls cholesterol synthesis and is used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia — see mevacor