Cholesterol is a fatty material regularly found in greasy foods. Eating fast food meals and frozen TV dinners while not getting enough exercise can quickly lead to cholesterol buildup in the blood vessels. Sometimes, family history predisposes people to developing high blood cholesterol levels. Thankfully, there are medications to help reduce cholesterol levels.
Atorvastatin
MedlinePlus says that atorvastatin is an HMG-CoA reduce inhibitor that works to slow the progression of cholesterol buildup. It is typically used in combination with exercise and diet to lower cholesterol levels. Unfortunately, high cholesterol levels can increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack.
According to MedlinePlus, atorvastatin's side effects include constipation, diarrhea, joint pain and a headache. Atorvastatin can also cause a poor appetite, fatigue, trouble breathing or swallowing, muscle pain or tenderness, nausea, yellowing of the skin and easy bleeding or bruising. Additionally, atorvastatin's dose may need changes if a patient is taking ritonavir, clarithromycin, ketoconazole, gemfibrozil or digoxin. It is also important to follow a strict diet free of such fatty foods as cream, cakes, cookies, ice cream, pastries and fried foods.
Colsevelam
Colsevelam is a bile acid sequestrant medication that promotes bile acid from the body, according to the Drugs website. Bile is a substance made in the liver to help with digestion of food. With decreased bile acids, the body begins to convert cholesterol floating in the blood to bile acids.
Indigestion, constipation, weakness, stomach pain, trouble swallowing, a headache, nausea and vomiting are among the side effects of Colsevelam. Those who are allergic to Colsevelam should avoid the medication as it is known to result in hives, difficulty breathing and facial swelling. This drug should also not be taken by people who have a history of intestinal blockage and pancreatitis. The Drugs website also reports that diabetic patients must use caution when taking Colsevelam as it can lead to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms include weakness, dizziness, weakness, anxiousness and fainting. Hunger, a headache, chills and tremors are other side effects of this condition.
Ezetimibe
Ezetimibe, like atorvastatin, is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor used to reduce cholesterol. Its effects include headache, dizziness, a sore throat, diarrhea, joint pain, sneezing, muscle pain or weakness, a lack of energy, a poor appetite, stomach problems, chest pain and yellowing of the skin or eyes, reports MedlinePlus. Finally, medications, such as warfarin, cyclosporine, fenofibrate and gemfibrozil, must be taken four hours prior or two hours after taking ezetimibe.
