What Drugs Are Used to Treat High Cholesterol?
Cholesterol-lowering drugs include: • Statins • Niacin • Bile-acid resins • Fibric acid derivatives • Selective cholesterol absorption inhibitors Cholesterol-lowering medicine is most effective when combined with a low-cholesterol diet and exercise program. Statins Statins block the production of cholesterol in the liver itself. They lower LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides and have a mild effect in raising HDL, the “good” cholesterol. These drugs are the first line of treatment for most people with high cholesterol. Side effects can include intestinal problems, liver damage, and in a few people, muscle tenderness or weakness. Examples of statins include: • Altocor • Crestor • Lipitor (atorvastatin) • Lescol (Fluvastatin) • Mevacor (lovastatin) • Pravachol (pravastatin) • Zocor (simvastatin) Advicor is a combination of a statin and niacin (see below). Caduet is a new drug that is a combination of a statin (Lipitor or atorvastatin) and a blood pressure-lowering drug called am
