Cholesterol is a waxy substance bound to fat in your blood. While your body needs cholesterol for building healthy cells, having too much cholesterol can cause fatty deposits in your blood vessels, making it difficult for blood to flow freely through your arteries. This increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. A healthy diet, exercise and cholesterol-lowering medications can help reduce high cholesterol. The medication your doctor recommends depends on factors such as your age, health status, potential side effects and your individual risk factors.
Statins
Statins are one of the most commonly prescribed cholesterol-reducing medications. HMG-CoA reductase is an enzyme that helps the body produce cholesterol. Statins help to block this enzyme, which causes your body to make less cholesterol and signal the liver to make more low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, receptors. These receptors attract LDL particles in the blood and ultimately reduce the amount of LDL, or bad cholesterol, in the bloodstream. Reducing LDL levels can lead to lower triglyceride and increased good cholesterol levels, called high-density lipoprotein, or HDL. Statins may help your body to reabsorb cholesterol from deposits that have built up on your artery walls, potentially lowering your risk of coronary artery disease. Side effects associated with statins include cramps, muscle pain, liver dysfunction and coenzyme Q10 deficiency.
Bile Acid Sequestrates
Your liver uses cholesterol to make bile, an acid needed in the digestive process. Bile acid sequestrates, also known as resins, bind to bile so that it cannot be used for digestion. The liver responds by using excess cholesterol to produce more bile acids. The more bile acids the liver makes, the more cholesterol is pulled from your body, reducing the amount of cholesterol circulating in your bloodstream. Gastrointestinal problems such as bloating, constipation, indigestion, abdominal pain and nausea may occur when taking this medicine.
Fibrates
Fibrates, or fibric acid derivatives, are medications used to lower triglyceride levels. This class of drugs works by reducing triglyceride production and removing triglycerides from circulation. They also increase your HDL levels. Potential side effects of fibrates include liver function problems, indigestion, dizziness, headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. To avoid these adverse effects, you should take this medication with meals.
Niacin
Niacin, or vitamin B-3, is another class of cholesterol-reducing medications. Niacin slows down the formation of cholesterol in the liver. It limits the liver's ability to produce LDL and VLDL, or very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. It also lowers your triglycerides and raises your HDL levels. Niacin is available as a prescription drug or an over-the-counter supplement; however, the prescription is preferred as it is more effective and has the least side effects. Adverse effects associated with niacin, especially over-the-counter varieties, include facial flushing, gastrointestinal distress, skin rash, headache, increased uric acid and elevated blood sugar.
Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
This class of cholesterol-lowering medications reduces LDL levels and may be used in combination with statins. After you eat, your small intestine absorbs cholesterol and releases it into your blood. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors functions in the digestive tract by reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed from the foods you eat. Stomach pain and fatigue are associated with this medication.
