How to Compare Cholesterol Medications

It can be confusing trying to find the right cholesterol medication. If you've been advised that you need such a medication, it's important to differentiate between the various types of medicines offered as therapy. And treatment can continue even after you've lowered your cholesterol to a healthy level.

The basic four types of cholesterol-lowering drugs are statins, fibrates, resins and nicotinic acid or niacin. By following the steps below, you can determine from the descriptions of each of these four medications which drug is possibly the best one for you.

Instructions

How to Compare Cholesterol Medications

• 1

  Review the statin medications. A statin is one of the best medicines available for reducing cholesterol. Check out the various brand names online. These include Lipitor, Lescal, Mevacor, Pravachol, Crestor and Zocor. Statins are good cholesterol-lowering drugs for diabetics. Generic offerings include Atorvastatin, Fluvastatin, Pravastatin, Lovastatin, Rosuvastatin Calcium and Simvastatin.

• 2

  Research fibrate medicines. Fibrates are indicated for individuals whose HDL (good cholesterol) is still low and whose triglycerides are high, even after they've managed to lower their LDL or bad cholesterol level. Brand names of fibrates include Lofibra or Tricor, Bezalip and Lopid. Generic drugs include Bezabifrate and Fenofibrate.

• 3

  Consider resin medications. A cholesterol-lowering drug called a resin is often used in combination with a statin. A resin is a bile acid-binding medication. When the liver produces more bile, it also utilizes more cholesterol. Therefore, a resin assists the liver in producing extra bile, thus reducing the amount of bad cholesterol running through the bloodstream. Well-know resin brands include Questran, L-Cholest, Prevalite, Welchol and Cholestid. Generic brands include Cholestyramine, Colestipol and Colesevalam.

• 4

  Research the possibility of niacin therapy. Nictonic acid, or niacin therapy, is advised to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as increase HDL cholesterol. Brands include Nicolar or Niaspan.

• 5

  After researching the four basic types of medications, discuss your findings with your doctor. He will help you decide how to proceed with lowering your cholesterol and choosing a medication that will best meet your needs.