High CholesterolMedicationsStatins are the
most effective and widely used medicines to treat
high cholesterol. Evidence shows that statins can
reduce the risk for
heart attack,
stroke, and death in people who are at high risk of a
heart attack or stroke.3 Other medicines also lower
cholesterol, and some may be used to lower
triglycerides or raise
HDL. - Some people can try diet and exercise for at
least 3 months before medicines are started. But people who have
coronary artery disease (CAD) should start taking
medicines immediately.1
- Other people who
may need to start taking medicine as soon as possible include those who have a
family history of early CAD, those who have inherited
forms of high cholesterol, and those who have
peripheral arterial disease or
diabetes or who have had a previous heart attack or
stroke.
Should I take statins for high cholesterol? Your doctor may follow NCEP and American Heart Association
medicine guidelines in deciding whether you should take medicine to lower your
cholesterol. The guidelines base treatment on your
LDL level and your risk for CAD. Cholesterol treatment guidelines will continue to evolve as experts learn
more about how best to treat heart disease. But everyone can benefit from
eating a balanced low-fat diet, getting regular exercise, and reducing other
heart disease risks, such as smoking. Medication Choices The following medicines can be
used to lower LDL and triglyceride levels in the blood and to raise HDL. Statin medicines | Generic names | Brand names | How they work | | atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin,
fluvastatin, rosuvastatin | Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, Zocor, Lescol, Crestor, Altocor | Reduce how much cholesterol your body makes | Some statins are combined with another medicine. Statin combinations | Generic names | Brand names | How they work | | ezetimibe with simvastatin | Vytorin | Lower how much cholesterol your body makes and affect how
your body absorbs cholesterol | | atorvastatin with amlodipine | Caduet | Lower how much cholesterol your body makes and lower
blood pressure | | niacin with lovastatin | Advicor | Raise good HDL cholesterol and lower bad LDL cholesterol | Your doctor may prescribe other medicines. Some are used
with a statin. Drugs that may be used with a statin Type of drug | Generic names | Brand names | How they work | Bile acid sequestrants | cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam | Questran, Colestid, Welchol | Affect how your body removes cholesterol | Fibric acid derivatives | gemfibrozil, fenofibrate | Lopid, Tricor | Lower triglycerides and can raise good HDL cholesterol. LDL may
go up slightly. | Nicotinic acid | niacin | Niacor, Niaspan, Nicolar | Raise good HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides and LDL | Cholesterol absorption inhibitors | ezetimibe | Zetia | Lower how much cholesterol your body can absorb | What to Think About - Men younger than 35 and women who have not
reached
menopause are at lower risk for heart disease and
often can try lifestyle changes before medicines.
- Medicine is
always added to a diet and exercise plan (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes), not substituted for it.
- Side effects are more likely and may be more severe when higher
doses of statins are used.
- Doctors may also prescribe
aspirin therapy if you have had a heart attack or
stroke, or you have a high risk for heart attack or stroke.
To help you decide whether medicine to lower cholesterol
is right for you, see: Should I take statins for high cholesterol?
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