As the Mayo Clinic states, the best defense against high cholesterol is a healthy lifestyle--eating right and exercising. For some people, though, this is not enough and medication is needed to help speed the process, ensuring optimal health. The drug you are prescribed depends on the type of cholesterol that is a problem for you; high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), low levels of good cholesterol (HDL) or high levels of triglycerides.
Statins
The American Heart Association explains that statins are the most effective cholesterol-lowering drug for people with high LDL levels. Statins accomplish this by working in the liver--the area cholesterol is produced--to stop its formation.
While primarily prescribed for the reduction of LDL levels, statins may also slightly reduce triglycerides and have a small impact on HDL levels. In most cases, the side effects are mild and go away as the body begins to adjust to it. These include stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and constipation. In rare cases, a patient may experience muscle abnormalities or suffer from liver damage.
The most common statins include atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin and pravastatin.
Resins
Resins, also referred to as bile acid binding sequestrants, are another class of drugs that are most effective for treating LDL cholesterol. The way these drugs work is what sets them apart from the statins, though; rather than preventing the formation of cholesterol in the liver, they increase the excretion of cholesterol by working in the intestines.
As the American Heart Association explains, the medication binds to bile during digestion, causing the liver to produce more bile. As more bile is produced, your liver uses more cholesterol. This results in less cholesterol left behind to wander through your bloodstream.
The most common side effects reported with resins, according to the Mayo Clinic, include constipation, gas, bloating and nausea.
Three types of resins are currently available in the United States: cholestyramine, colesevelam Hcl and colestipol.
Fibrates
Fibrates are a class of drugs that are extremely effective for people with high triglycerides, although the National Institutes of Health states they are not very effective for lowering LDL cholesterol. Those who take fibrates typically see a 20 to 50 percent reduction in their triglyceride level, and a 10 to 15 percent increase in their HDL-cholesterol.
For those with high levels of LDL, it may be necessary to combine a fibrate with a resin or statin in order to see a reduction in both levels.
The National Institutes of Health states that most patients do well on this type of medication, with the most common complaint being gastrointestinal problems. These drugs may also increase a person's chances of developing gallstones.
Gemfibrozil, clofibrate and fenofibrate are the three drugs in this class currently available in the United States.
Nicotinic Acid
Nicotinic acid, also known as niacin (vitamin B-3), helps lower both LDL cholesterol while raising HDL levels. The National Institutes of Health states that LDL levels can be reduced between 10 and 20 percent, triglycerides by as much as 20 to 50 percent and levels of HDL can rise as much as 15 to 35 percent.
Niacin is available in both supplement and prescription form, however the American Heart Association states the supplement should not be used as a substitute for the prescription when attempting to lower or raise cholesterol levels. This is due to the serious side effects it can produce and the health risks these side effects pose. In addition, the supplement is not regulated by the FDA like the prescription form is.
When taking the prescription form, known as Niaspan, it is imperative that it be taken under close supervision of your doctor. This is also due to the serious side effects, such as flushing (hot flashes), nausea, vomiting, high blood sugar and the formation of peptic ulcers.
