If you suffer from hypercholesterolemia, better known as high cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe a statin to help decrease your levels. Statins are a group of drugs that help lower your cholesterol by blocking the amount of cholesterol produced by your liver. According to the American Heart Association, they are especially effective at lowering your LDL (bad) cholesterol. There are currently six statins on the market, all of which produce the same, mild side effects.
Atorvastatin
Better known by the brand name of Lipitor, this statin was approved for use by the FDA in January of 1997. It is marketed by Pfizer, and according to statinanswers.com, is currently the most researched stain on the market. It is taken once a day, and along with lowering your LDL cholesterol, it may also be an effective way to lower your triglycerides and blood pressure. Some of its most common side effects include nausea, headaches, constipation, gas, dizziness, insomnia and heartburn.
Fluvastatin
Approved by the FDA in 1993, fluvastatin is manufactured by Novartis and is also known by the brand names, Lescol and Lescol XL. Fluvastatin comes in two forms--a capsule and an extended-release tablet and can be taken once or twice a day, typically in the evening. This is one of the gentler statins, and is usually used in combination with dietary and lifestyle changes to help reduce your cholesterol levels. Side effects you may encounter with this medication include, but are not limited to, gas, blurred vision, muscle pain, nausea and heartburn.
Lovastatin
Your doctor may prescribe lovastatin in combination with dietary changes such as a restriction of fat and cholesterol intake to help reduce your cholesterol levels. Produced by Merck and Co., lovastatin was approved by the FDA in 1987 and is marketed under the names of Advicor, Altoprev and Mevacor. According to statinanswers.com, this drug may be taken once or twice a day, and is generally prescribed to be taken with meals. It is available in both a normal and extended-release tablet, and its side effects are similar to those listed above.
Pravastatin
You may recognize this drug by its brand names of Pravachol or Pravigard. Produced by Bristol-Meyers Squibb, it was approved by the FDA in 1991 and is taken once a day. Unlike some of its counterparts, pravastatin is safe enough to be prescribed for children as young as 8 years old. Its most common side effects include muscle weakness, nausea, dizziness, heartburn and blurred vision.
Rosuvastatin
Approved in 2003, rosuvastatin, better known as Crestor, is available in four doses--5, 10, 20 or 40 mg. It is to be taken once a day, and while effective, statinanswers.com states its makers, AstraZeneca, has recently taken quite a bit of criticism over the fact that enough research has not been completed on this medication.
Simvastatin
Simvastatin, also known as Zocor, may very well be one of the most effective statins available. According to statinanswers.com, it helps reduce LDL levels by as much as 50 percent and can be taken by children who are at least 10 years of age. Produced by Merck and Co., it was approved by the FDA in 1991. There are, however, some patients who should not take simvastatin. Anyone who may be allergic to lactose, iron oxides, titanium dioxide, cellulose, magnesium stearate, talc and starch, all of which are the inactive ingredients found in simvastatin, are not candidates for this medication.
Pitavastatin
This is the newest addition to the statin family, having been approved by the FDA in August of 2009. It is currently being prescribed in Japan under the name of Livalo and is produced by a Japanese company by the name of Kowa. Its estimated availability in the United States is early 2010, according to smartstatins.com.
