The body's cells use cholesterol for many important processes. But when blood cholesterol levels are too high, fatty deposits often form on the inner walls of blood vessels, narrowing the vessels and interfering with blood flow. This increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. A person may lower blood cholesterol in several ways, such as making dietary changes, increasing exercise, or taking a prescription medication called a statin. Statins are safe and usually effective in treating patients with high cholesterol, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administraton.
Types of Cholesterol
Cholesterol in the blood is attached to protein in a complex called a lipoprotein. There are several types of lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) are called "bad" cholesterol because they tend to form deposits that narrow blood vessels, according to MayoClinic.com. HDL is called "good" cholesterol because it carries extra cholesterol to the liver where it is removed from the blood and metabolized. The FDA states that the goal of statins is to lower bad cholesterol while raising good cholesterol.
Statins
Several drugs are classified as statins. These drugs reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by blocking an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase which is found in the liver. This enzyme is used by liver cells to make cholesterol. When it is blocked, the liver cells remove cholesterol from the blood instead, lowering the amount of circulating cholesterol. Statins may also decrease fatty deposits inside blood vessels, eventually widening arteries and lowering the risk of heart disease.
Statin Choices
There are several statins available today as prescription medications. These include atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor). All statins act through the same basic mechanism, reducing cholesterol production by the liver. The main differences, according to Medicine Net, are in their relative potencies, in how they interact with other drugs and in the frequency and type of side effects. Patients with high cholesterol should always follow a doctor's recommendations in determining the statin best suited to their condition.
Side Effects
The FDA certifies statins as safe drugs and states that most side effects are minor. The most common side effect is muscular pain or weakness that is usually mild but may occasionally interfere with activity. Rarely, the muscle pain is severe and may lead to a life threatening condition. Statins may also occasionally damage the liver and, for this reason, a doctor will check a patient's liver enzymes at intervals to be sure there are no changes in liver function. Digestive upset is also an occasional side effect, usually in patients who already have gastrointestinal disorders. A patient should always consult a doctor if any of these side effects appear.
Dealing With Side Effects
If a patient has side effects from a statin drug, MayoClinic.com lists several options that a doctor may recommend. The patient with muscle aches might take a brief break from the medication to determine if the symptoms are caused by the drug. A change in exercise routine might also alleviate muscle aches. Another statin drug could be tried as a substitute, or the dose might be adjusted. A patient should not take pain relievers to help with these symptoms without discussing this option with a doctor. Lastly, other cholesterol-lowering drugs might be prescribed that act in a different way from the statins.
