Question:

Which of the following drugs acts by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase?

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Cholesterol-lowering drugs work at different points of fat metabolism. HMG-CoA reductase is the rate-limiting enzyme that the liver uses to make cholesterol, and the statin class blocks it.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • Cholestyramine
  • Simvastatin
  • Fenofibrate
  • Nicotinic acid
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Concept:
Cholesterol-lowering drugs work at different points of fat metabolism. HMG-CoA reductase is the rate-limiting enzyme that the liver uses to make cholesterol, and the statin class blocks it.

Step 1: Simvastatin is a statin. It competitively inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that converts HMG-CoA into mevalonate, an early committed step of cholesterol synthesis.

Step 2: With less cholesterol made in the liver, the liver makes more LDL receptors to pull LDL out of the blood, lowering blood cholesterol.

Why the others are wrong: Cholestyramine is a bile-acid binding resin. Fenofibrate is a fibrate that activates PPAR-α to lower triglycerides. Nicotinic acid (niacin) works on lipolysis and VLDL. None of these inhibit HMG-CoA reductase; that is the statin (simvastatin) mechanism.

Answer: Option (2) — Simvastatin.
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