Final answer:
Anti-cholesterol drugs often use the prefix 'statin' or 'lova' and the suffix '-statin' to denote their classification. These suffixes and prefixes indicate the drugs' function in inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, thereby reducing cholesterol synthesis in the body. Similar inhibitory mechanisms can be seen in drugs like acetaminophen, which targets another enzyme, cyclooxygenase.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two prefixes commonly associated with anti-cholesterol drugs are 'statin' as in Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and 'lova' as in Lovastatin (Advicor). The suffix '-statin' indicates that the drug is part of the statin class, which works by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, thereby reducing cholesterol levels. Although not a prefix, another important class is 'nicotinic acids', where drugs like Lovastatin also serve to reduce cholesterol levels. As for suffixes, the example of 'Atorvastatin' ends with '-statin' which again highlights its class and the associated inhibitory action on cholesterol synthesis. Similarly, 'rosuvastatin' from the drug Rosuvastatin (Crestor) follows the same pattern.
These drugs function by targeting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, which synthesizes cholesterol from lipids within the body. By inhibiting this enzyme, they effectively reduce the amount of cholesterol produced. This mechanism is somewhat similar to how acetaminophen works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase, although its complete action on the body is still not fully understood. Additionally, 'nicotinic acids' like Lovastatin also regulate cholesterol levels in the body.