Question

Which of the following hyperlipidemic drugs acts by inhibition of PCSK-9?

• A. Atorvastatin
• B. Evolocumab
• C. Ezetimibe
• D. Lomitapide

Hint:

Evolocumab is a PCSK-9 inhibitor used to treat hyperlipidemia, especially in patients with high LDL cholesterol levels who are at risk for cardiovascular events.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The question asks which hyperlipidemic drug acts by inhibiting PCSK-9. Let's analyze each option:

1. Atorvastatin: This drug belongs to a class called statins. Statins work by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a key role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. It does not inhibit PCSK-9.
2. Evolocumab: This medication is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits PCSK-9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9). By inhibiting PCSK-9, Evolocumab increases the number of LDL receptors available to clear LDL from the blood, thus lowering cholesterol levels. This matches the mechanism described in the question.
3. Ezetimibe: This drug works by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol at the intestinal brush border, rather than by inhibiting PCSK-9.
4. Lomitapide: It is an inhibitor of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), preventing the assembly of lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein B. It does not function by inhibiting PCSK-9.

Given this analysis, the correct answer is Evolocumab, as it specifically acts by inhibiting PCSK-9, a mechanism that distinctly differentiates it from the other options listed.

For further clarification, PCSK-9 inhibitors like Evolocumab are used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, especially for patients who do not respond adequately to statins or other cholesterol-lowering medications.