Cholesterol is a substance that your liver produces, the American Academy of Family Physicians explains. Your body can utilize cholesterol to protect your nerves and produce cell tissue. The cholesterol produced in your liver is sufficient for your body's needs; however, you may absorb cholesterol from food such as meat, dairy products and eggs. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is a type of cholesterol that causes health problems to develop. There are five main types of medication you can take to lower your cholesterol levels.
Bile-Acid Binding Resins
Bile acid binding resins such as colestipol and cholestyramine help decrease the levels of LDL in your body, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. This form of anticholesterol medication binds to the bile of your digestive tract and helps the body excrete it. The lower bile levels cause your liver to use the cholesterol in your body to make more bile. LDL levels drop as your liver utilizes it to make bile. Bile-acid binding resins may cause constipation, heartburn and gas. This type of medication may cause your calcium levels to lower and raise your risk of developing osteoporosis.
Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
Ezetimibe is a kind of cholesterol absorption inhibitor, the Mayo Clinic notes. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors lower your LDL and triglyceride levels. This cholesterol medication also slightly elevates your high-density lipoproteins, or HDL, levels. Side effects of ezetimibe include exhaustion, pain in the stomach area and sore muscles. Ezetimibe may be combined with other medications such as simvastatin, the New York Times Health Guide notes.
Fibrates
Anticholesterol medications called fibrates break down the substances your body uses to make triglycerides, the New York Times Health Guide explains. Fenofibrate and bezafibrate are types of fibrates. These anticholesterol medications cause sunlight sensitivity, skin rashes and muscle aches.
Niacin
Nicontinic acid, or niacin, is a kind of anticholesterol medication found in vitamin B-3 that can elevate HDL levels, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. Niacin also reduces triglyceride and LDL levels. Niacin is available in rapid-acting and extended-release versions. Side effects of niacin include flushing of the face and neck, as well as headaches and dizziness. These side effects can last anywhere from five minutes to several hours after taking the medication.
Statins
Statins such as simvastatin, fluvastatin and pravastatin are used to reduce LDL levels, the New York Times Health Guide notes. Statins can be taken alone or combined with other medications such as amlodipine, a blood pressure drug, in order to reduce the risk of a coronary event. Statins cause side effects such as constipation, drowsiness and sexual dysfunction.
References
- FamilyDoctor.org; Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines; January 2011
- Mayo Clinic; Cholesterol medications: Consider the options; July 21, 2010
- New York Times Health Guide; High Blood Cholesterol and Triglycerides Medications; Harvey Simon; May 05, 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Cholesterol - Medications; Harvey Simon; May 05, 2009
