Common Drugs that Lower Cholesterol

If you've been diagnosed with high cholesterol and diet hasn't helped get those levels down fast enough, or far enough, your doctor may prescribe a medication that is designed to help lower cholesterol levels. Doing so can change a person's quality of life and life expectancy, even if they've already been diagnosed with coronary artery disease or who carry the genetics for high, and risky, levels of cholesterol in their blood. Five common medications are used these days to help lower cholesterol.

The 'statin' group of medications is highly efficient in its ability to lower cholesterol, especially LDL, or low-density lipoproteins, aka the bad cholesterol, in your blood. These medications can also increase levels of HDL, the 'good' cholesterol. These mediations usually exhibit no side effects, though in some cases, some liver and muscle damage has been shown. On the bright side, these statin drugs have also been proven to decrease stroke and heart attack risks in patients.

Medications like Lescol and Crestor are both common statin-group drugs. Niacin is also often prescribed to help lower cholesterol as well. This vitamin is effective in lowering LDL levels. Another type of medication used to help lower cholesterol are bile acid reducing resins, which are pills or powders that encourage the liver to take LDL out of the blood. However, this type of medication is not usually prescribed for those whose triglyceride levels are already high, as a bile acid reducing resin actually increases levels of triglycerides in the blood, making it less desired.

Another type of drug used to help lower cholesterol is called Gemfibrozil, a pill that's been shown to be very effective in lowering triglycerides while at the same time raising levels of HDL, the good cholesterol. However, Gemfibrozil has shown lukewarm results in lowering total cholesterol and LDL levels. In addition, this medication may cause abdominal pain, as well as liver and muscle damage. The last type of common drug used to lower cholesterol is called Ezetimibe, a pill that helps to reduce the amount of cholesterol that's absorbed into the body when eating. It is typically used in conjunction with a statin group of medications to reduce high cholesterol levels.

While treatment with medications is a very good way to lower cholesterol levels, you can also enhance their effectiveness with proper dieting and exercise. Try to reduce or eliminate the high fat foods you've been eating, including butter, French fries and fatty foods, especially fast food burgers and fries. While it may be boring, eat more fruits and vegetables and whole grain products. If you smoke, try to quit.

Exercising at least three times a week can raise HDL levels in your blood, which is good for you and your heart. A medication may help to lower cholesterol in your blood, but it can't do all the work by itself. It's also up to each individual to take charge of their own body and health to lower cholesterol readings that lead to blood vessel and heart damage.