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List of Cholesterol Lowering Medications

High cholesterol remains a major health problem for many people today. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are 65 million Americans with high cholesterol. While healthy eating and exercise can help prevent further damage, on some occasions medication offers the only viable option for treating high cholesterol. While there are a number of medications on the market, make sure you speak to your doctor about the right choice for you.

  1. Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors

    • Cholesterol absorption inhibitors reduce the amount of bad cholesterol (or LDL) in patients by 18 percent to 20 percent, in particular the unhealthy amount absorbed by your intestines. Ezetimibe (brand name Zetia) remains one of the most popular and commonly prescribed cholesterol absorption inhibitors on the market today. Side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, sinusitis or joint pain may occur. When used in conjunction with statins, another cholesterol lowering medication, absorption inhibitors are especially effective.

    Fibrates

    • Fibrates are prescribed to help increase your good cholesterol (or HDL) while also reducing the level of unhealthy fats, or triglycerides, in your system. The most common form of fibrates include fenofibrate and gemfibrozil (brand names Lopid and Tricor), neither of which should be taken by patients who are also battling liver or kidney disease. Fibrates can lead to such side effects as vomiting, gallstones or muscle damage. In order to further increase its effectiveness, fibrates are typically prescribed alongside statins.

    Bile acid sequestrants

    • Bile acid sequestrants can lower LDL cholesterol anywhere from 10 to 20 percent. When partnered with statins, bile acid sequestrants can actually decrease LDL by a whopping 40%. The drug itself works by attaching itself to bile acids in the intestine before exiting the body in the stool. Although they may cause such digestive side effects as bloating, nausea and gas, bile acid sequestrants remain relatively safe to use. It's strongly advised, however, that those with a history of bile obstructions avoid the medication altogether.

    Statins

    • Statins help lower cholesterol by removing any buildup that may have gathered in the arteries, while also slowing down the overall amount of cholesterol that the body produces. Statins can also help decrease the odds of such high cholesterol causing conditions as heart attacks, strokes and coronary artery diseases. Lipitor and Crestor are the most commonly prescribed brand name statin medications. Statins should be avoided however if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have liver disease or are experiencing renal failure.

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