Statin medications are used in addition to a low-fat diet to lower cholesterol levels in patients who have been diagnosed with high cholesterol. These levels include total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. High triglycerides are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Many different statin drugs are available on the U.S. market, several of which come in low-cost generic versions.
Lovastatin
Lovastatin is a generic cholesterol medication sold under the brand name Mevacor. According to the prescribing information, lovastatin is indicated along with diet to lower cholesterol and slow hardening of the arteries in patients with heart disease. Patients taking lovastatin can expect a decrease in triglyceride levels of 6 to 10 percent after six weeks of treatment. After 12 to 48 weeks of lovastatin, patients saw a decrease in triglycerides of up to 19 percent, depending on their dose.
Pravastatin
Generic pravastatin is also sold as the brand name Pravachol. According to the prescribing information, pravastatin is specifically indicated to lower triglycerides in patients with high levels. It also can be used in children with high cholesterol. Pravastatin lowers triglycerides about 9 to 11 percent.
Simvastatin
Simvastatin was approved in the U.S. in 1991 and sold as the brand drug Zocor. This statin drug is also indicated for lowering triglycerides in patients with high cholesterol or high triglycerides. According to the prescribing information for Zocor, simvastatin decreases triglycerides about 10 to 30 percent depending on the dose of simvastatin the patient is taking.
Atorvastatin
Atorvastatin is sold under the brand name Lipitor. It is the newest generic statin of these, becoming available in pharmacies in late 2011. Atorvastatin is also indicated along with diet to lower triglycerides in patients with high cholesterol. According to the prescribing information for Lipitor, atorvastatin is more potent than other generic statins for triglycerides, lowering levels 19 to 37 percent.
References
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III)
- Merck and Co. Inc: Mevacor Prescribing Information
- Bristol-Myers Squibb: Pravachol Prescribing Information
- Merck and Co. Inc: Zocor Prescribing Information
- Pfizer Inc: Lipitor Prescribing Information
