Cholesterol medications differ in their actions and effects. Some types list bloating as a major side effect, while other classes of cholesterol medications list a variety of other gastrointestinal side effects that can make the medications difficult to tolerate. Let your doctor know if you're experiencing severe bloating or other GI side effects from cholesterol-lowering medications.
Cholesterol Medications GI Effects
Cholesterol medications fall into several different classes. Bile acid binding resins are the cholesterol medication commonly associated with bloating as well as constipation and gas.The most commonly prescribed cholesterol lowering medications, called statins, list numerous GI effects, including stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, constipation and cramping more frequently than bloating. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors also can cause abdominal pain. Niacin, vitamin B-3, can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, high-dose omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil can cause fishy burps.
Actions
Bile acid binding resins, also called bile acid sequestrants, are not absorbed well in the gastrointestinal tract, which is why they cause unpleasant symptoms. Bile acid binding resins bind to bile, which is necessary for cholesterol and fat absorption. With less bile available, cholesterol in the blood decreases. The liver then increases the amount of low-density liproprotein it removes from the blood, lowering LDL levels. Statins, also called HMG-CoA reductase Inhibitors, decrease cholesterol production in the liver by interfering with one of the enzymes needed to synthesize cholesterol.
Risks
In addition to causing bloating and gas, bile acid binding resins can interfere with absorption of medications that bind to the resin, such as oral blood thinners and digoxin, a heart medication. This medication also could interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A,D,E and K. Bloating and other GI symptoms, while uncomfortable, don't have any long-term side effects. Statins can cause muscle damage, however, that produces substances that can damage the kidneys and also could cause liver problems.
Considerations
Because the other types of cholesterol-lowering medications don't cause bloating the way acid bile binding resins do, ask your doctor if you can switch to another class of medication. But remember that all the cholesterol-lowering medications have some type of GI effects. Do not just stop taking cholesterol medications without notifying your doctor.
