What are the Different Types of Cholesterol Medication?
There are four different types of cholesterol medication. These include statins, niacin, bile-acid resins, and fibric acid derivatives. Each one works in a different way to treat high cholesterol. In many cases, patients are prescribed more than one drug, or more than one type of drug, to achieve desired results. Statins block cholesterol production in the liver. These medications are the first line of defense for treating high cholesterol. They lower low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, and mildly raise high-density lipoproteins (HDL), or “good” cholesterol. They are also effective in lowering triglyceride levels. Side effects of statins include intestinal problems, liver damage, and in rare cases, muscle weakness.
