Cholesterol medications plain and simple lower cholesterol. The question however is whether such drugs are worth the risks because of their side effects. Below are the common cholesterol drugs, used to reduce the elevated levels of cholesterol and some of their side effects.
1. Statins.
Drugs from this group are: Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Pravastatin, Simvastatin and etc. Statins inhibit one very important enzyme in the cholesterol metabolism. This specific enzyme is called HMG-CoA reductase. They reduce the quantity of cholesterol produced by the liver.
Headache is the most common side effect of statins. Other side effects are: diarrhea, chest pain, shortness of breath. Dangerous side effects are: Neuropathy and Rhabdomyolysis.
Rhabdomyolysis is the destruction of muscle cells. Because of this destruction, the patient's kidneys could be damaged. This is the reason why some patients on this drug may develop neuropathy.
2. Bile acid sequestrants.
Drugs, which are part of this group: Cholestyramine and Colestipol. They bind with the bile, produced by the body. Bile is produced by the liver and it is made from cholesterol. By binding with the bile, these drugs eliminate it from the body and that's how the body gets rid of the cholesterol within in the bile.
Some effects from this group are: a. Constipation b. Abdominal pain c. Vomiting d. Diarrhea e. Weight loss
3. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors.
The common drug from this group is Ezetimibe. This drug reduces the quantity of absorbed cholesterol. Often it is prescribed with Statins to increase the effect.
Side effects from this group manifest in, back pain, joint pain, sinusitis, abdominal pain, diarrhea etc
4. Fibrates.
Ciprofibate, Clofibrate, Fenofibrate are representatives of this group. They decrease the secretion of triglycerides and increase the levels of the "good" cholesterol - HDL. Some side effects from fibrates are below:
a. Myophathy - this is situation where the muscles are affected and destroyed after some time. b. Upset of the stomach c. Gallstones
5. Niacin.
This is vitamin B. It reduces the levels of the "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides. Another good effect is that they increase the levels of the "good" cholesterol". Normally niacin side effects are:
a. Flushing b. Nausea c. Vomiting d. Diarrhea e. Mild inflammation of the liver f. Flu syndrome g. Dark skin h. Blurred vision i. Difficulties in breathing
Overall you should determine whether to take cholesterol medications or use alternative ways to lower cholesterol.
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