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Pros & Cons of Cholesterol Medicine

High cholesterol drugs are prescribed for patients with cholesterol levels from 130 to 190 mg/dL. Health history and several other factors also contribute to how much, which type and if a patient is a good candidate for these medicines.

  1. What is Cholesterol

    • Cholesterol is a fatty substance naturally produced in the body. It can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

    Types of Medications

    • There are several types of medicines to treat high cholesterol. The most commonly prescribed are statins and cholesterol absorption inhibitors.

    Side Effects

    • As with any medication, cholesterol drugs should be taken carefully and monitored by a physician. Headaches, muscle soreness and cold-like symptoms are the most common side effects.

    Lipitor

    • The most commonly prescribed statin, Lipitor works to prevent your body from naturally manufacturing cholesterol. It only works on LDL; it does nothing for HDL levels.

    Zetia

    • A cholesterol absorption inhibitor, Zetia works by stopping cholesterol absorption through food and other sources. It can lower LDL and triglyceride levels. It is a lifetime drug, so numbers can increase if the drugs are stopped.

    Vytorin

    • Vytorin combines statin and CAI medications, which means they can help LDL and triglyceride levels. Because of certain risks, patients with kidney trouble or chronic illness should avoid this medication.

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