Despite being bombarded by relentless commercials for cholesterol lowering treatments, does anyone truly comprehend more about how these products work than before these high cholesterol treatments were shown on TV? Sure, you might be able to recall a few of the most easily recognizable ones, but, do you feel comfortable with your current level of knowledge about these medications? It is with this in mind, that this article will focus on not only what constitutes a high cholesterol medication, but also how and why some drugs affect people differently.
The most typical drugs prescribed to reduce cholesterol levels are known as Statins. These pharmaceuticals are usually known by their trade names, but the technically correct chemical names are fluvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, louvastatin, and atorvastatin. Notice that the names of the chemical compounds end with statin? That identifies them as members of the as statin family.
The way that statins work is by inhibiting the HHG-CoA reductase enzyme which is controls how much cholesterol is manufactured in the body. These drugs have demonstarted a positive impact by reducing the incidences of both heart attacks and deaths from heart disease. Due to life saving benefits that the drugs have shown on lowering LDL levels, this class of medications is still the most prescribed by doctors for their patients with high cholesterol numbers.
Statins can help reducing dangerous triglyceride levels and actually increasing good HDL readings in many people. HDL is the common abbreviation for High Density Lipoprotein.
What kind of side effects are possible for patients taking Statins? Most people tolerate the treatment with few problems. Many have no noticeable side effects. Unlucky ones usually suffer from gastrointestinal issues like upset stomach, constipation, and abdominal pain with gas and cramping. Such typical symptoms are usually mild and may even disappear once your system adjusts to the medication.
Do more serious side effects exist? As with any high cholesterol medication, there are some patients who suffer uncomfortable, or even dangerous, problems with statins. Common contraindications are elevated liver values, muscular pain and discomfort, physical weakness, and general soreness. Discolored, dark urine sometimes results and should be reported immediately to the prescribing doctor.
Are there any other pharmaceutical drugs that are classified as high cholesterol medication? Another type is called as Bile Acid Sequestrants. Sounds pretty awful, huh? Despite the name, these medications work by binding with bile acids that contain cholesterol. This happens in the intestines and is passed out of the body in the stool. In some cases, doctors require a Statin drug to work concurrently with your Bile Acid Sequestrant. Impressive test results have been found. LDL cholesterol levels have been reduced nearly 40 percent or more, using both types of drugs combined. Colesevelam, Colestipol, andCholestryamine are the three major Bile Acid Sequestrants sold at this time. They are available as both powder or tablets.
Another type of high cholesterol medication is called Nicotinic Acid, better known as niacin or water soluble vitamin B3. Niacin (nicotinic acid) is used to to lower cholesterol and triglycerides. Vitamin B3 can decrease lipoprotein levels. in other words, Niacin (nicotinic acid) can help reduce bad cholesterol and high triglyceride levels. However, the typical doses required are not normally found in a regular daily diet. Niacin can also interact with other drugs and should be monitored closely by your physician to properly identify any potentially bad reactions like niacin flushing or heart palpitations.
This quick overview of the most common cholesterol medications shows that each high cholesterol treatment has its own pluses and minuses. It is impossible to accurately predict whether any specific medication, or combination of medicines, will work effectively and safely in every patient. Some medications work better in conjunction with others rather than alone. Finally, remember that at least one high cholesterol medication that is available to help you in your fight to defeat high cholesterol levels. In your efforts to achieve good cholesterol levels, be sure and work closely with your family doctor or cardiologist to determine which high cholesterol medication is most effective for you.
