Cholesterol Medicines

You can receive cholesterol through foods that come from animals, such as meat and dairy products, as well as from your liver. Your blood cholesterol levels may be elevated due to a genetic condition, poor food choices, or inactivity. Alternatively, you may have high cholesterol as a result of both. A good diet and regular exercise can help you lower your cholesterol levels, but if they don’t go as low as what’s considered healthy, your doctor may recommend taking medication.

List of Medicines for high cholesterol

The following are some examples of cholesterol-lowering medications:

1. Statins for cholesterol

One of the more well-known classes of cholesterol-lowering medications is statins. Due to their effectiveness, providers select them for the majority of patients. By inhibiting the HMG CoA reductase enzyme, which the liver utilises to produce cholesterol, statins reduce the amount of cholesterol produced. Inhibitors of HMG CoA reductase are another name for statins.

Side effects of statins

Statins may result in unfavourable side effects, just like any other medication. These could consist of:

• Nausea or constipation.
• Headaches and symptoms of a cold.
• Either with or without a muscle injury, or sore muscles.
• Aberrant liver enzyme activity.
• Elevated blood sugar levels.
• Difficulties with recoverable memories.

2. PCSK9 inhibitor

LDL (“bad”) cholesterol is reduce as a result of PCSK9 inhibitors’ attachment to a specific liver cell surface protein. This kind of medication can be use in conjunction with statins and is typically prescribed to high-risk heart disease patients who have not been able to sufficiently lower their cholesterol through other means.

Side effects of PCSK9 inhibitors

• Potential negative consequences include:
• Pain, especially back pain and muscle pain (myalgia).
• Swelling at the site of the injection.
• Chilly-like symptoms.
• Given that these items can be pricey, cost might be another disadvantage.

3. Fibrates, or derivatives of fabric acid for cholesterol

Another class of cholesterol medications that lower blood lipid (fat) levels, particularly triglycerides, is called fibric acid derivatives. When you ingest calories but don’t burn them off, your body turns those calories into fats called triglycerides.

Fibric acid derivatives may also raise levels of HDL, or “good” cholesterol while decreasing the amount of LDL produced by the liver, or “bad” cholesterol. Fibrates should not be taken by anyone with serious liver or kidney disease.

Side effects of fabric acid derivatives

Fibrate side effects could include:

• Bloating or diarrhoea.
• Loss of weight.
• Vomiting, bloating, or belching.
• Backache, headaches, or stomach-aches.
• Weak muscles and discomfort.

4. Bile acid resins, commonly known as bile acid sequestrates

By adhering to bile, a greenish fluid made of fats that your liver produces to break down food, this class of cholesterol medication operates inside the intestine. Because of the binding process, the body has less cholesterol available. Resins reduce LDL cholesterol and somewhat increase HDL cholesterol.

Side effects of bile acid resins

Sore throat and stuffy nose are examples of bile acid sequestrants side effects:

• Indigestion and diarrhoea
• Loss of weight
• Bloating and belching

Stomach discomfort, vomiting, and nausea

5. Selective inhibitors of cholesterol absorption

Ezetimibe belongs to a class of drugs that blocks the absorption of fats by your body in the intestine. In addition to lowering LDL cholesterol, these inhibitors may also lower triglycerides and raise HDL “good” cholesterol. They may be taken in addition to statins.

The side effects includes:

• Diarrhoea
• Fatigue
• Joint discomfort

6. Acid nicotinic for cholesterol

Niacin, commonly known as nicotinic acid, is a B-complex vitamin. Some of these are available without a prescription, while others need one. Niacin raises HDL and lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. You shouldn’t if you have serious liver disease or gout.

Side effects of niacin

Niacin’s primary adverse effect is flushing of the face and upper body, which may be decrease if taken with food. If you take aspirin about 30 minutes before taking niacin, you might have less flushing.

Additional side effects include:

• Skin conditions like tingling or itching
• Headache
• Upset stomach
• Can result in higher blood sugar levels
• Coughing
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and omega-3 fatty acid esters

7. Omega-3 products

These medications, which are used to decrease triglycerides, are frequently referred to as fish oils. While some products, such as ethyl eicosapentaenoic acid, require a prescription, others are sold over the counter. Consider these two points: Other drugs may interact negatively with fish oils, and some people may be allergic to fish.

Side effects of omega-3 products

Belching is one of the possible side effects of omega-3 supplements:

• Rashes or itching on the skin
• Gas
• Fishy flavour
• Longer bleeding times
• Inhibitors of Adenosine Triphosphate-Citric Lyase (ACL)

8. Bempedoic acid

The liver’s ability to produce fats is slowed down by bempedoic acid. It should be taken with statin drugs, but if you also take simvastatin or pravastatin, you’ll need to reduce your dosage.

Side effects of bempedoic acid

• Upper respiratory infection is one of the negative effects of bempedoic acid.
• Back, muscular, or stomach aches
• Increased uric acid concentrations
• Tendon damage

How to take your medications to decrease your cholesterol?

It’s crucial to carefully adhere to the recommendations of your healthcare practitioner when taking medications. You risk injury if you don’t take medications exactly as directed. You might unintentionally take two medications that interact with one another, for instance. If medications are not taken as directed, you may feel ill or lightheaded.

Conclusion

You could require medicine to lower your cholesterol levels. There are numerous choices, but a lot of them will function better if you maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine. Remember to talk to your doctor about any new medications. It also covers over-the-counter items like herbal remedies and dietary supplements.