Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Practice Exam

Which of the following is an antihyperlipidemic drug?

1. Bisoprolol

2. Simvastatin

3. Nifedipine

4. Methylcellulose

The correct answer is: Simvastatin

Simvastatin is an antihyperlipidemic drug that belongs to a class of medications known as statins. These drugs are primarily used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, thereby helping to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Simvastatin works by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a critical role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. By decreasing the synthesis of cholesterol, simvastatin can help improve lipid profiles by lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, and can also modestly raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known as "good" cholesterol. The other options are not antihyperlipidemic drugs. Bisoprolol is a beta-blocker used primarily for hypertension and heart failure. Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker often used to treat hypertension and angina. Methylcellulose is a bulk-forming laxative commonly used to treat constipation and does not have any activity in lowering lipid levels. Consequently, simvastatin stands out as the correct answer within the context of antihyperlipidemics.