Medications that treat high cholesterol are often prescribed to reduce LDL, or bad, cholesterol, increase HDL, or good, cholesterol and also decrease triglycerides, the fat in blood that along with LDL can increase the risk of heart disease. LDL cholesterol is the waxy substance that can stick to the artery walls and clog blood flow, which can cause stroke and heart attack. HDL cholesterol cleans the arteries of LDL cholesterol, helping to flush it out of the body. Medications will help lower bad cholesterol, but exercise and diet as part of a healthy lifestyle are also suggested, according to the Mayo Clinic. A low-cholesterol diet, low in saturated fats with no trans fats, is usually recommended along with medication. Your doctor can help you in using the right medication.
Statins
Statins are drugs that lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. They increase HDL levels slightly. Statins work in the liver to prevent the formation of cholesterol. The doctor may order liver function tests periodically. People with liver disease or pregnant women should not use them. Statins include Crestor (rosuvastatin), Lipitor (atorvastatin), Altoprev (lovastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), Mevcor (lovastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin) and Zocar (simvstatin). Side effects are usually mild and may go away as your body adjusts to the medication, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). But the side effects may include stomach pain, cramps, nausea, diarrhea, muscle soreness, pain and weakness.
Binding Resins
Bile acid binding resins are for patients who need to decrease LDL cholesterol levels. They help dispose of cholesterol in the intestines. The resins bind to bile so the liver has to work to make more bile with cholesterol and as a result, there is less cholesterol circulating in the bloodstream. These medications include Colestid (colestipol), Questran, Prevalite and Locholest (cholestyramine) and WelChol (colesevelam). Side effects may include nausea, constipation, gas and bloating.
Fibrates
Fibrates increase HDL levels and decrease triglycerides. They don't effectively lower LDL cholesterol, the AHA says. Fibrates are good medications for people who have low HDL and need to lower their triglycerides. They include Lopid (gemfibrozil), Atromid-S (clofibrate), and Antara, Lofibra, Tricor and Triglide (fenofibrate). Side effects may include nausea, stomach pain and gallstones.
Inhibitors
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors, which include Zetia (ezetimibe), help prevent the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. They help to lower LDL levels, and may also work to moderately lower triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol, the AHA says. Side effects may include abdominal pain, cramps, muscle soreness, fatigue, gas and constipation.
Niacin
Niacin decreases LDL and triglycerides while increasing HDL. Niacin (vitamin B-3, nicotinic acid), Niaspan (prescription niacin) and Slo-Niacin (nonprescription niacin) are among the medications. Niacin affects the production of blood fats, lowers triglycerides and lowers LDL cholesterol. It also raises HDL cholesterol. The side effects may include flushing, itching and upset stomach. Some medications, such as Advicor, combine statins and niacin.
