Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance produced naturally by your body to help form cells and hormones, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Two main types of cholesterol exist; LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol). Too much LDL increases your risk of developing heart disease, while low levels of HDL can do the same, as its job is to carry away excess amounts of LDL. Medications are available to both decrease LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol.
Statins
The American Heart Association states that statins are the most effective drugs for lowering levels of LDL. These drugs work by slowing the production of cholesterol in your liver, absorbing it as it is made. They are not as effective however for raising levels of HDL cholesterol.
Before your doctor prescribes a statin for you, he may consider other risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. Simply put, high levels of LDL may not be enough to prescribe a statin for you. These risk factors include obesity, diabetes, a family history of high cholesterol and smoking.
Statins come in a variety of doses that range from 5mg to 80mg. You need to take into consideration that once placed on a statin, you will most likely remain on it indefinitely, even if your cholesterol levels decrease, as stated by the Mayo Clinic.
The most common side effects include muscle and joint aches, diarrhea, nausea and constipation.
Some statins available include atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), rosuvastatin calcium (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor).
Fibrates
Fibrates, such as gemfibrozil (Lopid), clofibrate (Atromid-S) and fenofibrate (Antara®, Lofibra®, Tricor® and Triglide™), are effective for rasing levels of HDL. They are not as effective for lowering levels of LDL. The American Heart Association States that in many cases, fibrates are used in combination with statins to effectively decrease LDL and increase HDL simultaneously.
Fibrates are also effective for those with high triglyceride levels, a fat found in the bloodstream. These vary from cholesterol, as triglycerides are used for energy rather than the formation of cells. However high levels of triglycerides pose a health risk as well.
Resins
Resins are known by two other names--bile acid sequestrant and bile acid-binding drugs. These drugs are the most effective for lowering levels of LDL as the American Heart Association states, and work by binding to the bile during digestion, inhibiting its ability to be used during the process of digestion. This forces the body to produce more bile; the more bile it produces, the more cholesterol it uses. This leaves less cholesterol to circulate through the bloodstream.
Some resins available include colestipol (Colestid), Cholestyramine (Questran®, Questran® Light, Prevalite®, Locholest®, Locholest® Light) and colesevelam Hcl (WelChol).
Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
This type of drug--approved in 2002--is most effective for lowering LDL cholesterol. The American Heart Association states that it may also be effective for raising levels of HDL as well.
This drug works similarly to stains; it absorbs cholesterol produced in the intestines before it can travel through the bloodstream and build up in the artery walls. The Mayo Clinic adds that it helps absorb dietary cholesterol.
Zetia is the one drug available, according to both the Mayo Clinic and American Heart Association, and can be used in combination with any statin.
