Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

High cholesterol levels in the body can cause many adverse effects on health like heart diseases, uncontrolled diabetes, metabolic syndrome and stroke.



A person who is really concerned about reducing the blood cholesterol levels should consider serious lifestyle modifications which include maintaining a healthy body weight, regular physical activity and healthy eating habits whether or not your specialist prescribes medications for lowering cholesterol. Drug therapy to reduce cholesterol is considered for individuals who in spite of adequate lifestyle changes including diet and exercise have minimum effect on the high cholesterol levels. Depending on the LDL cholesterol levels and the risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease, a specialist may choose the medications to decrease cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol Lowering Drug
There are various medications that can lower the blood cholesterol levels which can be prescribed individually or in combination with other drugs.

1. HMG CoA reductase inhibitors or statins – This class of cholesterol lowering drug is most effecting in lowering LDL cholesterol. Statins work in the liver to prevent the formation of cholesterol; it also has moderate effects on raising HDL cholesterol and lowering triglycerides.
   
   
   
   
2. Selective cholesterol absorption inhibitors – This is comparatively a new class of drug which inhibits absorption of cholesterol from the intestines. This class of drug is most effective at lowering the levels of LDL cholesterol. It may also have a mild effect in lowering triglycerides and raising HDL cholesterol.
3. Resins or bile acid-binding drugs or bile acid sequestrant – This class of drugs work in the intestine to promote increased disposal of cholesterol. Cholesterol is used in the synthesis of bile in the liver, which is used in the digestive process. These LDL lowering drugs bind to bile making bile unavailable for digestion. In this response the liver uses more cholesterol to make bile which means less cholesterol is left in the bloodstream to circulate.
4. Fibrates or fibric acid derivatives – This class of drug is best in lowering the triglycerides and in some cases it also increases the levels of HDL cholesterol. Fibrates are generally used for people who have high triglyceride levels or low HDL levels (after reaching the goal for LDL) because this class of drug is not very effective in lowering the LDL cholesterol.
   
   
   
   They can be used in combination with statins.
5. Niacin or nicotinic acid – This class of drugs is used to lower the LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol. Niacin works by affecting the production of blood fats in the liver. As niacin can cause toxicity your liver functions may be closely monitored.

Any drugs or dietary supplements to lower cholesterol should not be used before getting a prescription from your specialist.