The body needs cholesterol for its cells to function properly, but high cholesterol occurs when there is too much of it floating around in the blood. Excess cholesterol can deposit on the walls of the arteries and/or blood vessels, causing heart disease, heart attack or stroke. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, your doctor may choose one of several medications for your treatment. The prescription chosen will depend upon the level of your cholesterol as well as your current health condition.
Statins
Statins are widely prescribed cholesterol medication that work by minimizing the amount of cholesterol that the body produces. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), statins also help remove the buildup of cholesterol from the blood vessels and arteries. Statins are efficient at lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol, thereby lowering the risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that statin side effects may occur with initial use, but decline in occurrence as your body adjusts to the medication. Some side effects include intestinal distress, abdominal pain, constipation, muscle pain and liver problems. Examples of popular statin drugs are Lipitor (atorvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin) and Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium). Statins can lower cholesterol levels by 20 to 60 percent.
Fibrates
Fibrates are another class of cholesterol medications but they are more effective at lowering triglycerides than cholesterol. The AHA reports that fibrates can increase HDL (good cholesterol) which does help lower LDL somewhat, as HDL cholesterol takes LDL out of the arteries. Fibrates are generally prescribed only if your LDL is at an appropriate level, as the main goal of the drugs are to lower triglycerides or raise HDL. Side effects are listed as stomach upset, increased blood thinning, greater risk of developing gallstones and anemia. Examples of fibrate medications are Tricor (fenofibrate), Lopid (gemfibrozil) and Bezalip (bezafibrate). The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) reports that fibrates lower triglycerides by up to 50 percent and raise HDL cholesterol up to 15 percent.
Resins
Resins are sometimes referred to as "bile acid sequestrants." The NHLBI explains that resins work by binding with the bile acids in the blood that contain cholesterol. This bile, normally used during digestion, can then no longer be used; the cholesterol is therefore not absorbed. The liver then needs more cholesterol to make more bile, but the medicine binds with that bile as well. The more cholesterol the liver uses to make bile, the less there is to float around the bloodstream. Side effects of resins are stomach upset and dizziness. Examples of common resins are Welchol (colesevelam), Prevalite (cholestyramine) and Colestid (colestipol). Resins lower cholesterol by up to 20 percent and, when used in combination with statins, cholesterol levels can be lowered by 40 percent.
Niacin
Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid or Vitamin B3, focuses its attention on the production of cholesterol in the liver. It is effective in lowering triglycerides as well as LDL and raising HDL. Side effects include hot flashes, gout, intestinal trouble and liver problems. Because niacin opens blood vessels, it can also lower blood pressure. If you are currently on blood pressure medication, do not take over-the-counter niacin without your doctor's knowledge or consent. Niacin reduces LDL by up to 20 percent, triglycerides by up to 50 percent and raises HDL by up to 35 percent.
Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor
Another type of cholesterol medication is called a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. According to the AAFP, these drugs work by lowering the amount of cholesterol absorbed in the digestive tract and is often used in combination with statin drugs. Side effects are intestinal distress and muscle soreness. A commonly prescribed cholesterol absorption inhibitor is Zetia (ezetimibe).
