While a healthy lifestyle is vital in controlling cholesterol levels in the blood, sometimes it isn't enough on its own. Doctors often prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs to help prevent heart disease. Knowing what drugs are available to use in treatment, as well as the functions they perform, is important before beginning any heart disease treatment.
Statins
Statins are the most widely used drugs for treating cholesterol because they are the most fact-acting of the drug classes. They are the most effective in decreasing LDL (bad cholesterol), and also decrease triglycerides while minimally increasing HDL levels. Some common drugs in this category, including the generic name, include Lipitor (atorvastatin), Crestor (rosuvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Altoprev (lovastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin) and Pravachol (pravastatin). Most side effects of these drugs are mild and often disappear as the body adapts to the medication.
Resins
Also known as bile acid-binding drugs, these are used to decrease LDL and sometimes increase HDL levels as well. These work by binding to the bile acid in the stomach, which is created using cholesterol. The body reacts by creating more bile by using more cholesterol, decreasing levels of LDL in the bloodstream. It is not uncommon for resins to be combined with statins for a more effective treatment. Resins include Colestid (colestipol), Welchol (colesevelam), and Questran, Prevalite or L-Cholest (cholestyramine).
Fibrates
These drugs function by lowering triclyceride levels in the bloodstream and can sometimes increase HDL levels as well. Fibrates are often used after LDL treatment goals have been reached or if triglyceride levels are high. Medicines include TriCor and Lifibra (fenofibrate), Lopid (gemfibrozil) and Bezalip (bezabifrate).
Niacin
Niacin is used to lower LDL and triglycerides while raising HDL by altering the blood fat production in thebody. When using niacin medicines the liver is often frequently tested as niacin can be toxic. Common dietary supplements are often not recommended in treatment as supplements aren't FDA regulated and may cause serious side effects. Niacin treatments come in prescription form as Niaspan, or as a nonprescription as Slo-Niacin.
