Cholesterol-lowering medications have proven to be highly effective at decreasing blood cholesterol levels and cardiac events. Before starting your new medication, be aware of the potential side effects. Your physician or pharmacist can help you to navigate the risks and benefits and alert you to any potential drug interactions.
Common Cholesterol Medications
Many doctors recommend diet modification and exercise to decrease blood cholesterol prior to starting a patient on medication. When diet and exercise alone are ineffective at lowering cholesterol, medication may become necessary. The first medications most commonly prescribed are known as statins and include Lipitor, Zocor, Pravachol and Crestor. Statins block the production of cholesterol in the liver. Other types of cholesterol-lowering drugs include niacin, bile-acid resins, fibric acid derivatives and cholesterol absorption inhibitors.
Food Interactions
Cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins may interact with foods and cause side effects. Statins should not be combined with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Grapefruit can interfere with the liver's ability to metabolize the statin medication, according to MayoClinic.com. As a result, the potency of the statin may be increased. This increased level of potency may lead to serious and dangerous side effects. Grapefruit must be avoided completely, as the effect does not change even when the statin and grapefruit are consumed at different times in the day.
Common Side Effects
Most patients tolerate cholesterol-lowering drugs without any side effects or difficulties. You may develop mild side effects that resolve as your body adjusts to the medication. These include muscle and joint aches, nausea, feeling more tired than normal, diarrhea and constipation. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any side effects that do not resolve.
Serious Side Effects
These drugs may increase your liver enzymes. The Cleveland Clinic advises a blood test about six weeks after starting your medication to check your levels. This side effect often occurs without symptoms and, if left untreated, may cause liver damage. High doses of statins may cause a condition called rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis occurs when muscle cells break down and cause myoglobin to move into the bloodstream. This condition may lead to kidney damage.
When to Call Your Doctor
Cholesterol-lowering drugs are medications that, once started, must be continued for the rest of your life. If you experience uncomfortable side effects, discuss them with your doctor who may adjust your dose or change to a different type of drug. Also notify your doctor if you develop muscle pains or tenderness, fever, nausea, vomiting, brown or dark-colored urine, a yellow tint to your skin or eyes, stomach pains or an allergic reaction in your skin.
References
- American Heart Association: Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs
- MayoClinic.com; Grapefruit Juice: Beware of Dangerous Medication Interactions; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; Nov. 6, 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Statins: Are These Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Right for You?; Mayo Clinic staff; Feb. 11, 2010
- Reuters; Cholesterol Drug Side Effects Need Watching: Study; Kate Kelland; May 20, 2010
- Cleveland Clinic: About Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs
