Cholesterol-lowering drugs may be helpful if your cholesterol levels don’t reach to the healthy level by diet and exercise. Cholesterol lowering medicines are also given for people who have inherited a medical condition which causes high cholesterol.

What are the different types of cholesterol-lowering medicines?

There are about 5 types of cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins, resins, niacin, fibrates and cholesterol absorption inhibitors. Each one of them works in a different way.

Statins
Statins are also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. HMG-CoA reductase is an enzyme that helps our body for making cholesterol. Statins aids to block this enzyme and as a result, it causes the body to produce less cholesterol. As cholesterol production is slowed down, our body indicates the liver to make more LDL receptors. The LDL receptors attract the LDL particles in the blood. Consequently the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood is reduced. Lesser LDL levels will lead to lesser triglyceride levels and higher HDL levels. The familiar brand names include Lescol, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor.

Resins or Bile Acid Sequestrants
Bile is an acid that is used in the digestive process. Our body uses cholesterol to make bile. These resins bind to the bile, so that it cannot be used in the digestive process. The liver responds to the situation by producing more bile and it uses more cholesterol for the process. Thus the cholesterol level in the bloodstream is reduced. The familiar brand names are LoCholest, Colestid, Questran, Prevalite and Questran Light.

Nicotinic Acid or Niacin
Nicotinic acid is a form of vitamin B. It slows the liver’s production of some chemicals that aid LDL or bad cholesterol production. Niacin also helps to lower triglycerides and raise HDL levels. The familiar brand names are Niacor, Nicolar and Slo-Niacin.

Fibric Acid Derivatives or Fibrates
Fibric acid derivatives are used for lowering triglyceride levels. They break down the particles which make triglycerides and use them in some other way in our body. Lower triglyceride levels may lead to increased HDL level. The familiar brand names are Atromid-S, Lopid and Tricor.

Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
LDL levels can be lowered using a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. This drug can be given in combination with a statin. This medicine works in the digestive tract by decreasing the quantity of cholesterol absorbed from the foods we eat. While taking this medicine it is essential that you live on cholesterol lowering diet. The familiar brand name is Zetia.

What are the common side effects of cholesterol-lowering medicines?

Diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps, bloating or gas, nausea and vomiting, headache, drowsiness, muscle aches and weakness, flushing and sleep problems are the common side effects that you may experience due to the cholesterol-lowering drugs. You should inform to your doctor when your side effects are severe.

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