Hyperlipidemia is a conditions marked by high levels of lipids (which include cholesterol and triglycerides) in the blood. Hyperlipidemia can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition in which cholesterol forms plaques in the walls of the arteries, narrowing them and increasing the patient's risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. Hyperlipidemia can be treated with lifestyle changes and certain medications.
Statins
Statins are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for treating hyperlipidemia. They work by preventing your liver from making new cholesterol, which causes your liver to pull lipids out of your blood. Examples of statins include pravastatin, rosuvastatin, fluvastatin and simvastatin.
Bile Acid Binders
Bile acid-binding drugs (also known as bile acid resins or bile acid sequestrants) can also be used to treat hyperlipidemia. These drugs work by binding to bile acids in the large intestine, which prevents them from being reabsorbed. Bile acids are necessary for the body to digest fat, and are partially made up of lipids. As a result, these drugs force the body to make more bile acids, which causes blood lipids to lower. These drugs include cholestyramine, colestipol and colesevalem.
Ezetimibe
Ezetimibe is a drug that prevents cholesterol from being absorbed by the intestines. It can be used by itself or along with a statin drug to treat severe cases of hyperlipidemia
Fibrates
Fibrates work to lower blood levels of lipids by speeding up the rate at which the body processes and eliminates triglycerides, one form of lipids. Fibrates also decrease the liver's productions of a compound called very-low density lipoprotein, which is also primarily made up of triglycerides. Fibrates include gemfibrozil and fenofibrate.
Niacin
Niacin can be purchased both over-the-counter and with a prescription to treat hyperlipidemia. It works by preventing the liver from producing certain compounds that increase the levels of lipids in the blood (such as very-low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein). In general, prescription formulations work best as they cause fewer side effects.
