Types of Drugs Used to Fight Cholesterol

Medications that fight high cholesterol may work in several different ways, including lowering your bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein) and triglycerides and increasing "good" cholesterol (high density lipoprotein). Cholesterol medications are commonly used and generally safe but may cause side effects such as digestive problems and interactions with certain foods. Consider these facts from the Mayo Clinic about the types of drugs used to fight high cholesterol.

Statins

• Statins such as Lipitor are the most commonly used type of cholesterol medication. They lower your bad cholesterol and triglycerides but may interact with grapefruit juice.

Bile Acid Binders

• Bile acid binding resins such as Colestid lower your bad cholesterol but may raise triglyceride levels and cause constipation and flatulence.

Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors

• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors such as Zetia lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol but may interact with grapefruit juice and cause stomach pain.

Combination Drugs

• Drugs that combine a statin with a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, such as Vytorin, lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides but are not more effective than if you took two separate medications.

Fibrates

• Fibrates such as Lofibra increase your good cholesterol and decrease triglycerides but may cause side effects such as gallstones and stomach cramps.

Niacin

• Special formulations of niacin such as Niaspan lower your bad cholesterol and triglycerides and may cause effects such as facial flushing and gout.

Niacin-Statin Combinations

• Combinations of niacin and statins, such as Advicor, lower triglycerides and bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol and may cause facial flushing, rapid heartbeat and interactions with grapefruit juice.