High cholesterol drugs are prescribed for patients with cholesterol levels from 130 to 190 mg/dL. Health history and several other factors also contribute to how much, which type and if a patient is a good candidate for these medicines.
What is Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance naturally produced in the body. It can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Types of Medications
There are several types of medicines to treat high cholesterol. The most commonly prescribed are statins and cholesterol absorption inhibitors.
Side Effects
As with any medication, cholesterol drugs should be taken carefully and monitored by a physician. Headaches, muscle soreness and cold-like symptoms are the most common side effects.
Lipitor
The most commonly prescribed statin, Lipitor works to prevent your body from naturally manufacturing cholesterol. It only works on LDL; it does nothing for HDL levels.
Zetia
A cholesterol absorption inhibitor, Zetia works by stopping cholesterol absorption through food and other sources. It can lower LDL and triglyceride levels. It is a lifetime drug, so numbers can increase if the drugs are stopped.
Vytorin
Vytorin combines statin and CAI medications, which means they can help LDL and triglyceride levels. Because of certain risks, patients with kidney trouble or chronic illness should avoid this medication.
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