Side Effects of High Cholesterol Medications

Cholesterol is produced in the liver and helps the body create hormones. Sometimes, however, the level gets too high and can lead to heart disease. Doctors prescribe medications to lower the level of cholesterol in the body, along with dietary changes and exercise. Cholesterol-lowering drugs include statins, niacin, bile-acid resins, fibric-acid derivatives and cholesterol-absorption inhibitors. While these medications can help lower "bad" cholesterol (LDL), they can also have annoying---and sometimes dangerous---side effects.

Statins and Their Side Effects

• Statins are the type of drugs most commonly prescribed to lower "bad" cholesterol levels by blocking its production in the liver. Drugs in this category include Lipitor, Lescol, Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor, all of which have differing side effects. In rare cases, Lipitor can cause breakdown in the skeletal muscle, leading to kidney failure, and can cause birth defects in fetuses. Common side effects are hives, difficulty in breathing, muscle pain, nausea and flu-like symptoms. Lescol is similar to Lipitor and causes many of the same side effects. Mevacor can cause constipation, hives, itching, difficulty in breathing, pale stools, stomach problems, yellowing of the eyes and red, swollen, blistered skin. Pravachol and Zocor share many of the same side effects as other drugs in this category, including chest pain, hives, constipation, gas, heartburn, bloating, headache and dizziness.

Niacin and its Side Effects

• Niacin, a B-complex vitamin, is sold in high doses by prescription as Nicolar and Niaspan. It works by lowering LDL cholesterol and raising levels of HDL, the "good" type of cholesterol. Both supplements have several side effects, including dizziness, hives, shortness of breath, swelling, itching, sweating, chills, muscle pain and sleep problems. Do not take high doses of niacin if you have liver problems, are pregnant or breast-feeding, or have heart disease or diabetes. Check with your doctor on niacin's interaction with other medications, supplements, food and alcohol.

Bile-Acid Resin and Its Side Effects

• These drugs work by binding to bile produced in the liver, preventing the bile from being reabsorbed into the blood where it creates high cholesterol levels. Drugs in this category include Questran, Questran Light, Colestid and Welcol. Some of Questran's severe side effects are blood in the urine, severe stomach pain, constipation, shortness of breath and bleeding. Less serious side effects involve constipation, easy bruising, upset stomach, bloating, muscle aches and dizziness. Colestid's side effects include dizziness, nausea, gas, gallstones, stomach cramps and ulcers. Side effects of Welcol include indigestion, gas, throat irritation, muscle pain, stomach cramps, backache and low blood sugar.

Fibric-Acid Derivatives and Their Side Effects

• These drugs, including Tricor and Lopid, lower triglycerides and raise the body's HDL cholesterol levels. However, they do not lower cholesterol significantly in most people who use them. The common side effects of Tricor are stomach upset, rashes, a risk of liver problems, gallstones and muscle inflammation. Lopid's most-oft-noted symptoms are upset stomach, blood clotting, and the risk of gallstones.

Chlosterol-Absorption Inhibitors and Their Side Effects

• These drugs stop the cholesterol produced in the liver from being siphoned into the bloodstream, and also stop the body from absorbing cholesterol from food. The side effects of Zetia---one drug in this category---include muscle weakness, tenderness or pain, nausea, fever, dark urine and stools, chest pain, numbness, mild stomach ache, depression, joint pain and coughing.

Warnings

• There are many conditions that cannot tolerate cholesterol medications, including liver disease, pregnancy and diabetes. Also, you should thoroughly discuss with your doctor which foods and other prescription drugs could interact with the drug you take; adjustments in diet and alcohol consumption may be necessary. Always report serious symptoms to your doctor and seek medical help if symptoms become severe.