Common Medications To Treat High Cholesterol

Common Medications To Treat High Cholesterol
By Elizabeth McNally

If your level is high, or if you are at risk for
heart disease, your doctor may perscribe a medication to reduce
your cholesterol. There are several types of medications
available, each type with a different action.

Statins – Statins are one of the more commonly perscribed
medications to reduce cholesterol. These drugs inhibits the
enzyme which the liver uses to produce cholesterol, thereby
slowing the production of in the body. People at
risk for developing the plaques which line the arteries, or
artherosclerosis, are usually given this medication. Statins not
only slow the growth of plaques, but they also can shrink
existing plaques and actually make them less likely to break
apart, causing stroke or heart attack. Risk factors for
artherosclerosis are:

High levels;
Diabetes;
A family history of early-age heart attack or heart disease;
Advancing age.

There are several statins that are commonly perscribed. These
medications have many differences, including their
cholesterol-blocking ability, their side-effects, how they
interact with other drugs, and their ability to reduce heart
attack and stroke. Some common statins which are frequently
perscribed include:

Atorvastatin (Lipitor);
Rosuvastatin (Crestor);
Fluvastatin (Lescol);
Simvastatin (Zocor);
Lovastatin (Mevacor);
Pravastatin (Pravachol).

Most side-effects of the statins are mild, like nausea and
vomiting, but one major side-effect that is very rare, is
rhabdomyolysis, which can cause muscle damage and eventually
kidney failure. Any muscle or joint pain experienced while
taking a statin should be reported immediately to your doctor.

Resins – Resins are another cholesterol-lowering medication.
They bind with cholesterol-containing bile acids in the
intestines and are then excreted. Resins actually reduce LDL
cholesterol and are often perscribed with statins for a combined
effect of lowered LDL cholesterol. Currently perscribed resins
include:

Cholestyramine (Questran);
Colestipol (Colestid);
Colesevelam (WelChol).

Resins have few side-effects (gas, bloating, nausea and
constipation); however, they may interfer with the absorption of
other medications taken at the same time.

Nicotinic Acid – Nicotinic

Metabolic syndrome predicts kidney disease (Reuters)
Reuters - Having the so-called metabolic syndrome may raise the risk of chronic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes, researchers from China report.
TriLipix Approved to Help Lower Cholesterol (HealthDay)
HealthDay - TUESDAY, Dec. 16 (HealthDay News) -- The Abbott Laboratories drug TriLipix (fenofibric acid) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help lower cholesterol.
11 New Cholesterol Genes Identified (HealthDay)
HealthDay - MONDAY, Dec. 8 (HealthDay News) -- An international research team that screened the genes of more than 40,000 people has identified 11 more regions that govern levels of blood fats such as LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Mediterranean Diet Enriched With Nuts Cuts Heart Risks (HealthDay)
HealthDay - MONDAY, Dec. 8 (HealthDay News) -- In older adults at risk for heart disease, a Mediterranean diet plus daily servings of mixed nuts may help manage metabolic syndrome, according to a Spanish study.
Scientists find nutty risk reducer: Eat more nuts (AP)
AP - Here's a health tip in a nutshell: Eating a handful of nuts a day for a year — along with a Mediterranean diet rich in fruit, vegetables and fish — may help undo a collection of risk factors for heart disease.

acid (niacin) is a common B vitamin,
which, given in therapeutic doses, reduces LDL and
triglycerides. An over-the-counter niacin tablet as a dietary
supplement would not produce the same effect, and could result
in serious side-effects. Common trade names are:

Niacin;
Niacor;
Slo-Niacin.

Nicotinic acid interacts with other medications, including
blood pressure medication, and your doctor should be consulted.

Gemfibrozil (Lopid) -- Gemfibrozil reduces triglycerides and
increases HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol, in the blood.
It interacts with other medications, such as Coumidin, which
could lead to increased bleeding, and glyburide, which could
cause low blood sugar. The most serious, but rare, side-effect
is rabdomyolysis, which could lead to kidney failure. Your
doctor should be consulted and your current medications
discussed before beginning therapy on gemfibrozil.

Clofibrate (Atromid-S) -- Clofibrate also acts by reducing LDL
cholesterol levels; however, because of its many side-effects,
it is usually perscribed only if all other methods of reducing
cholesterol are ineffective. All current medications, including
over-the-counter drugs, should be discussed with your doctor
before using clofibrate.

Ursodiol (Actigall, Urso) – Ursodiol is made by the liver and
reduces the production of by the liver and
absorption of in the intestines. Side-effects are GI
related, including nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and
constipation; and rash and back pain. Other medications may
interfer with its function, reducing its effectiveness.

There are many more medications, including dietary supplements
and over-the-counter medications that can help in reducing
cholesterol levels. Before taking any medications, discuss them
with your doctor and let your doctor know what medications
you're taking already, to decide which may be best for you.

About the Author: Elizabeth McNally has been a healthcare
professional for the past 30 years. For more information please
visit http://www.cholesterolinfo.net

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