Cholesterol (cont.)
Medical Author:
Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM
Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEMDr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRDr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. In this Article
 What medications are available to lower cholesterol, lipids, and triglycerides?
Comment on this
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. Several classes of medications are available in the United States, including HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), nicotinic acid, fibric acid derivatives, and medications that decrease intestinal cholesterol absorption (bile acid sequestrants and cholesterol absorption inhibitors). Some of these medications are primarily useful in lowering LDL cholesterol, others in lowering triglycerides, and some in elevating HDL cholesterol. Medications also can be combined to more aggressively lower LDL, as well as in lowering LDL and increasing HDL at the same time. Note: Dosing guidelines change. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a guideline concerning the potential dangers of taking the 80mg dose of simvastatin (Zocor). Lipid altering medications commonly used in the United States
Historically, niacin has been a one of the medications used to lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke. Its usefulness has been called into question by studies conducted in 2011 by the National Institutes of Health. Patients who are taking niacin should not stop using it without discussing treatment options for cholesterol control with their health care provider. Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 7/21/2011 Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Cholesterol - Share Your Experience
Question: Please share your experience with high cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol - Medications
Question: What medications have you taken to lower your cholesterol or triglycerides? What side effects have you experienced?
Cholesterol - Effective Treatments
Question: What kinds of treatments have been effective for your cholesterol?
Cholesterol - LDL Cholesterol
Question: In what ways have you tried lowering your LDL cholesterol?
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