Cholesterol Lowering Drugs
Under most circumstances, the first line of treatment to lower cholesterol begins with dietary changes, weight loss, and exercise. However, when these methods fail to achieve the desired results, you physician will likely order prescription medication to help reduce your cholesterol levels.
Types of Cholesterol Drugs
There are basically four different types of cholesterol-lowering drugs: statins, resins, fibrates and niacin. Each type of medication works a bit differently, however the goal of each remains to lower cholesterol levels. The choice of which type of drug to prescribe is entirely dependent upon your physicians assessment of your cholesterol levels and your overall medical condition.
Statins have become quite popular as in recent years as the cholesterol lowering drug of choice. They are also known as HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, and work in the liver to slow the development of cholesterol. Studies have shown that statin drugs tend to work best at lowering LDL, or bad cholesterol, but don't to be as effective in the reduction of triglyceride levels. Current statin drugs on the market are : atorvastatin (Lipitor) , fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), and rosuvastatin (Crestor).
Resins act as bile acid-binding drugs, which simply mean they increase the removal of cholesterol from the body. As your body digests food, it uses cholesterol to make bile, another enzyme used in digestion. Resins bind themselves to bile. The liver increases the production of bile, which causes the body to use up more cholesterol. The end result is less cholesterol in your bloodstream.
Fibrates tend to be best at lowering triglycerides, or blood fats, and increasing HDL, or good cholesterol. They are not as successful in bringing LDL, or bad cholesterol, levels down. Many physicians will prescribe this type of medication for patients who have high triglycerides and low HDL, or if previous treatments have gotten the LDL to the desired goal. Fibrates are often used in conjunction with statin drugs.
Niacin, in the form of nicotinic acid, is useful in lowering triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and raising HDL levels. This medication targets the liver by affecting the production of blood fats. While niacin is available over the counter as a supplement, your doctor will most likely order dosages that are available by prescription only.
