High blood cholesterol is the cause of several health conditions, most notably heart and coronary disease. Although your body needs cholesterol to function properly, too much LDL, or "bad" cholesterol can quickly build up within the arteries, leading to stroke or heart attack, according to the American Heart Association. Physicians prescribe several cholesterol medications in conjunction with a low-fat, low-calorie diet. These meds, however, are not without their side effects.
Statins
Statins are among the most commonly prescribed medication for high blood cholesterol, according to MayoClinic.com. They are relatively safe for the most part, although some may have adverse reactions to these drugs, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Statins function by preventing the formation of cholesterol in the liver and effectively lowering "bad" cholesterol while also raising "good" cholesterol levels. Common statin medications include lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Common side effects are muscle pain, nausea, gas, diarrhea, rash and flushing, according to MayoClinic.com. In some cases, statins may cause liver damage by increasing the production of digestive enzymes, although it can range from mild to severe. You should always speak with your doctor should you experience any side effects.
Bile Acid-Binding Resins
Bile acid-binding resins function by binding to bile within the digestive tract and are expelled through feces rather than re-entering the blood stream, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). This causes the liver to convert more cholesterol into bile acids to replenish levels, but these, too, are removed from the body, resulting in lower "bad" blood cholesterol levels by approximately 15 to 20 percent. Common side effects include constipation, heartburn, gas and other gastrointestinal issues, the University of Maryland Medical Center states. Common bile acid-binding resins include colestipol, cholestyramine and colesevelam.
Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
The small intestines absorb cholesterol from consumed food. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors work by limiting the uptake of cholesterol within the intestines, according to MedlinePlus. According to Drugs.com, the most common medication is ezetimibe, which is usually prescribed in tandem with a statin. Common side effects include numbness or tingling, mild stomach pain and diarrhea, fatigue, headache, dizziness, joint or back pain, and cold symptoms.
