Cerivastatin

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A synthetic lipid-lowering agent. Cerivastatin competitively inhibits hepatic hydroxymethyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, a key step in cholesterol synthesis. This agent lowers plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein levels, and modulates immune responses by suppressing major histocompatibility complex II on interferon gamma-stimulated, antigen-presenting cells such as human vascular endothelial cells. Muscle toxicity (myopathy and rhabdomyolysis) precludes the clinical use of this agent.

**Synonyms:** - CERIVASTATIN