Diarrhea Treatment With Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

Cholesterol is integral in the production of hormones, vitamin D and bile acids vital to fat digestion. The liver usually produces enough cholesterol to meet the body's requirements, but it is also derived from food. Excessive amounts of cholesterol in the blood can lead to atherosclerosis and heart disease. Hypercholesterolemia can be managed with cholesterol lowering drugs.

Classes of Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

• Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase enzyme activity, retarding the cholesterol production rate. They increase removal of low-density lipoproteins (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) from the blood, increase "good" cholesterol while decreasing overall cholesterol and triglycerides levels.

  Nicotinic acid agents lower overall cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride levels while increasing good cholesterol levels.

  Absorption inhibitors reduce LDL through selective decrease of cholesterol absorption. They are suitable for individuals who cannot tolerate statins or suffer adverse effects when statin dosage increases.

  Fibrates increase good cholesterol levels while decreasing triglyceride levels. The latter are components of very low-density lipoproteins, "precursors" to LDL.

Cholesterol Lowering Drugs That Can Treat Diarrhea

• Bile acid sequestrants are cholesterol-lowering drugs which can treat diarrhea. However, they are effective only if the diarrhea is due to increased intestinal bile acids following surgery of the intestinal tract. Side effects include constipation, bloating, gas and nausea.

  The drugs bind the bile acids in the intestine and promote their elimination in the stool. This upsets the homeostasis where cholesterol forms bile acids in the liver, which recirculate through the liver and gall bladder. Cholesterol is metabolized to rectify the imbalance in bile acids, decreasing its level in the bloodstream.

Side Effects of Common Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

• Cholesterol-lowering drugs can cause abdominal pain and cramps, stomach upsets, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

  Neuropathy of the extremities and limbs also occurs in some people who use statins. Any muscle soreness or weakness, together with brown urine should receive immediate medical attention, as they may be signs of myopathy, myositis, rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure.

  Sinusitis, rashes, myopathy, hepatitis, pancreatitis and potentially life-threatening angioderma can occur with absorption inhibitors.

  Nicotinic acid can cause hot flashes or flushing, although tolerance can develop. Higher doses are linked to a higher risk of hyperglycemia, liver problems and gout.

  Fibrates can cause tiredness, headaches, gallstones, muscle aches and pain unrelated to rhabdomyolysis.

Managing Diarrhea Caused By Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

• Staying hydrated is important. Electrolyte drinks help to replace the sodium and glucose lost due to frequent bowel movements. Avoid diuretics like coffee and alcohol.

  It's possible to alter the consistency of the stools to diminish the incidence of diarrhea. Foods like bananas, apples, rice and high-fiber foods like bran can help to reduce trips to the toilet and regulate bowel movements.

  Consider changing your cholesterol medication if you can correlate excessive bowel movement to the use of the current drug.

Minimizing the Need for Medication

• Hypercholesterolemia can be hereditary or the result of a high-fat diet coupled with inactivity and an unhealthy lifestyle. A person with hypercholesterolemia can improve their health by reducing alcohol intake and following a diet low in saturated fat. Increased physical activity also aids the management of high cholesterol levels, and weight loss means that the heart undergoes less strain. Together with the use of cholesterol lowering medication, this usually means that a person is at a lower risk for developing coronary heart disease.