LIPID ALTERING MEDICATIONS

Lipid altering medications are used in lowering blood levels of undesirable lipids such as LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and increasing blood levels of desirable lipids such as HDL cholesterol.

Classes of medications are available in the United States, including :
Statin ( HMG CoA reductase inhibitors )

Effects on blood lipids :

• Most effective in lowering LDL
• Mildly effective in increasing HDL
• Mildly effective in lowering triglycerides

Medication examples :

• Pravachol
• Mevacor
• Lipitor
• Lescol
• Crestor
• Zocor

Nicotinic acid ( Niacin )

Effects on blood lipids :

• Most effective in increasing HDL
• Effective in lowering triglycerides
• Mildly to modestly effective in lowering LDL

Medication examples :

• Niacin
• Niaspan
• Slo-Niacin

Fibric acid ( derivatives )

Effects on blood lipids :

• Most effective in lowering triglycerides
• Effective in increasing HDL
• Minimally effective in lowering LDL

Medication examples :

• Lopid
• Tricor

Medications that decrease intestinal cholesterol absorption, such as :

Bile acid sequestrants
Effects on blood lipids :

• Mildly to modestly effective in lowering LDL
• No effect on HDL and triglycerides

Medication examples :

• Questran
• Welchol
• Colestid

Cholesterol absorption inhibitors

Effects on blood lipids :

• Mildly to modestly effective in lowering LDL
• No effect on HDL and triglycerides

Medication examples :

• Zetia

Medications also can be combined, such as :

Combining nicotinic acid with statin

Effects on blood lipids :

• Effective in lowering LDL and triglycerides
• Increasing HDL

Medication examples :

• Advicor ( lovastatin + niaspan )

Combining a statin with an absorption inhibitor

Effects on blood lipids :

• Synergistic in lowering LDL
• Effective in lowering LDL with low doses of each ingredient

Medication examples :

• Vytorin ( Zocor + Zetia )

Posted in: cholesterol,health