Medicine Watch: Cholesterol Medication

Cholesterol is a type of fat that is essential for many of our body's vital functions. There is however no need to eat foods high in cholesterol as our body is very efficient at making its own cholesterol. Having too much cholesterol in our body can lead to heart disease, as excess cholesterol can cause fatty deposits to form in the arteries.

There are two main types of cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), also known as "bad cholesterol" and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), also known as "good cholesterol". LDL delivers the cholesterol to our cells while HDL helps remove excess cholesterol out of the cells.

Following is a list of the most commonly used cholesterol medications including how they work, side effects and what to look out for.

Statins

Statins are a class of drugs that include among others, simvastatin, atorvastatin and pravastatin. The statins reduce the amount of cholesterol the body makes. They are effective in lowering LDL and triglyceride levels while increasing HDL levels. They are primarily used in reducing LDL cholesterol levels.

Rarely statins can cause muscle damage, so if you have any muscle soreness, tenderness or pain, consult your doctor. There is a possibility that taking Coenzyme Q₁₀ supplements may help alleviate muscle tenderness associated with statin use, but this has not been proven. Please consult your doctor before taking any new supplements. Gastrointestinal adverse effects such as dyspepsia can also occur with the statins as well as headache and insomnia.

Fibric acid derivatives

This class of drugs includes fenofibrate and gemfibrozil. They decrease the amount of cholesterol the body makes and lower LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides. In some patients they can also increase HDL cholesterol. The most common side effect with this class of drugs is gastrointestinal effects.

Ezetimibe

Ezetimibe (Zetia) is the first in a new class of drugs, which works by decreasing the amount of cholesterol absorbed in the intestine. Ezetimibe reduces total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels while increasing HDL cholesterol levels. There have been no significant side effects reported so far.

Niacin

Niacin lowers LDL and triglyceride levels through various mechanisms such as decreasing the amount of LDL made. Gastrointestinal adverse effects are common. Itchy skin and flushing may also be experienced. Under a physicians direction some patients take 325mg of aspirin either 30 minutes before or with the niacin dose to reduce the duration and severity of the skin flushing. Consult your doctor before taking the aspirin to make sure this is appropriate for you.