Cholesterol lowering medications.
Quite often, despite the healthy diet, regular exercise and proper  lifestyle that are followed and despite the use of relevant herbal extract products, blood cholesterol levels may remain dangerously high.
Certain groups of people are prone to high cholesterol levels and they may be exposed to the risk for cardiovascular disease to occur or to deteriorate. These categories include patients who present angina symptoms, high blood pressure or have experienced a heart attack or a stroke. Obese or overweighed people and diabetics are susceptible to high cholesterol levels too. Studies have shown that patients with diabetes, taking statins are 35% less likely to suffer a stroke in the future.
In cases like those described above, the use of certain medications is required to keep blood cholesterol levels under control. These drugs have been classified in five distinctive categories, according to their chemical structure and their way of pharmaceutical action. In the tables below you can find listed the wide range of anti-cholesterol medications. Most of the drugs presented below are generic forms. For more information about generic drugs you can visit the Medications or Frequently Asked Questions about generic drugs pages.
Statins.
Statins are considered the most effective drugs, since they can lower serum total cholesterol by 60%. Statins are inhibitors of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase which promotes cholesterol synthesis within the liver. Statins also help in moderate increase of good cholesterol. Latest researches suggest that any use of statins should be accompanied by simultaneous supplementation of coenzyme Q10, since the drugs tend to deplete this important antioxidant.
The following table contains the most commonly prescribed statins. Click the relevant link, if you want to find any of these drugs online.(*)
Side-effects of statins: Myopathy, which involves muscle pains, can occur but it is quite rare. Such myalgia must be reported and a physician will evaluate the situation. Otherwise, the patient may develop rhabdomyolysis. This is a very serious and potentially fatal condition. Liver damage is another dangerous complication but not common. Other likely adverse-effects of statins include irregular intestinal function, blood glucose fluctuations, fatigue, dizziness, headaches and nausea. Studies have indicated that peripheral neuropathy may occur due to the use of statins.
Bile acid binding resins or sequestrants.
Sequestrants work by binding to bile acids and neutralizing them. The latest are produced from cholesterol within the liver. Bile acids are secreted into the intestine and promote the emulsification of lipids, so they can be absorbed. After that, the bile acids enter the blood stream and return to the liver, in order to be recycled, unless they have undergone a change in their chemical structure. As soon as the bile acids have been neutralized by the sequestrants, they are excreted with the feces, since they are useless for the body. Thus, the recycling function is discontinued and the liver is forced to "consume"  cholesterol, in order to synthesize more bile. Because of the increased demand, the cholesterol levels within the blood stream drop.
Sequestrants can decrease blood cholesterol by 15-20%. When bile acid binding resins are combined with nicotinic acid, this percentage can reach the 60%. Sequestrants are available in powder or tablet forms. They have to be dissolved in water or fruit juice before use. Bile acid binding resins are not absorbable within the gastrointestinal track.
In general, side-effects of sequestrants are insignificant and include bloating, feelings of fullness, constipation and nausea.
The most commonly prescribed sequestrant is the Colestipol HCI (Colestid).(*)
Nicotinic acid or niacin or vitamin B3.
Vitamin B3 can lower triglycerides and total cholesterol in the blood stream. Niacin is available over the counter as a food supplement. Trials have shown that 500mg-2gr of nicotinic acid per day can reduce bad (LDL) and elevate good (HDL) cholesterol. The vitamin is usually taken in combination with statins or bile acid binding resins, after a doctor's recommendation. By clicking the following link you can find more information about niacin and relevant supplements. Please remember that supplementation of any single vitamin B over a long period of time, may lead to significantly imbalanced state of other members of the complex. Thus, a full range of additional supplementation for vitamin B complex is recommended.
Fibric acid derivatives or fibrates.
Fibrates are mainly used for triglycerides reduction in the blood stream but they are also effective in increasing good cholesterol (HDL) levels. According to clinical trials, HDL levels can be elevated by 20%, whereas triglycerides can drop by 40%. Fibric acids derivatives have a moderate lowering result on bad cholesterol (LDL).
Side-effects of fibrates include gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, myalgia and fatigue.
The most commonly prescribed fibrates are listed in the table below and if you use the link in the right column, you will be able to find them online (*).
| Brand name |
Generic name |
Form |
Strength |
Source |
| Antara |
Fenofibrate |
Caps |
43mg |
find online |
| 130mg |
| Lipidil Micro |
Fenofibrate |
Micronized caps |
67mg |
find online |
| 200mg |
| Lipidil Supra |
Microcoated tabs |
100mg |
find online |
| 160mg |
| Lopid |
Gemfibrozil |
Tabs |
300mg |
find online |
Tricor
Lipidil EZ
Fenofibrato
Fenofibratum
Fenogal
Lipanthyl
Lipantil
Lofibra
Triglide |
Fenofibrate |
Tabs |
160mg
200mg |
find online |
Ezetimibe (Zetia) and Vytorin.
Zetia has an effect only on dietary cholesterol. The drug hinders the absorption of the lipid through the intestine. Since only 25% of serum total cholesterol depends on the diet, Zetia quite often is combined with a statin, in order a comprehensive control of blood cholesterol levels to be reached.
Reported side-effects include headaches, diarrhea, dizziness, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, myalgia and pain in the joints, abdomen or chest.
Ezetimibe (Zetia) is available in tabs of 10mg and you can find it online by clicking the  button.(*)
Vytorin is a typical combination of ezetimibe (Zetia) and simvastatin (Zocor) which is one of the most popular statins. If you have been prescribed Vytorin and you want to find it online, click the button.(*)
(*) Important note. Apart from nicotinic acid, the medications may need a valid prescription to be purchased.
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