 It has been demonstrated in several previous primary and secondary studies that lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol LDL-C with the use of medications such as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors improves mortality and morbidity related to cardiovascular events in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Such inhibitors, which are known as statins, act to block the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. These medications are generally well tolerated by the vast majority of patients, but a small number experience side effects, most seriously those of myopathies, rhabdomyolysis and elevated liver enzymes - recognition of this fact, that statins are not universally without problems, highlights the need for viable alternatives. 