Report on Cholesterol Medications Side Effects and Usage
Contents
- 1 Cholesterol Meds
- 1.1 Good vs. Bad Cholesterol
- 1.2 Medicines to Control Cholesterol
- 1.3 HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)
- 1.4 Statins: What You Should Know
- 1.5 Bile Acid Sequestrants
- 1.6 Bile Acid Sequestrants: What You Should Know
- 1.7 Fibrates
- 1.8 Fibrates: What You Should Know
- 1.9 Niacin
- 1.10 Niacin: What You Should Know
- 1.11 Combination Drugs
- 1.12 Combination Drugs: What You Should Know
- 1.13 Other Drugs
- 1.14 Other Drugs: What You Should Know
Cholesterol Meds
Medicines for High Cholesterol are suppose to help you but there are a few things that you should know before taking them.
Cholesterol is a kind of fat in your blood. Your body makes its own cholesterol but you also get it from the foods you eat like meat, potato chips, cookies, and eggs. Some people have too much cholesterol in their blood.
There are things you can do to lower your cholesterol. You can make changes to your diet and exercise at least 30 minutes most days. There are also medicines you can take to help lower your cholesterol.
Use this guide to help you talk to your doctor about how to best control your cholesterol. This guide lists the different kinds of medicines to control cholesterol. Ask your doctor to tell you about all of the risks and benefits of taking your cholesterol medicine.
Did you know?
- High cholesterol can raise your chance of having heart attacks and heart disease.
- Women over age 20 should have their cholesterol checked by a doctor.
- Most people do not show any signs of having high cholesterol.
- Sometimes cholesterol can build up in your heart and cause chest pains.
- You can find out your cholesterol number by getting a simple blood test.
- Your total cholesterol number should be under 200.
Good vs. Bad Cholesterol
Not all cholesterol in your blood is bad for you. There are three kinds of blood cholesterol that you should know about: HDL (good cholesterol), LDL, (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides.
Good Vs Bad | Good Cholesterol | Bad Cholesterol |
---|---|---|
What is it called? | ||
What does it do to your heart? | Helps to keep the arteries from clogging up Protects against heart disease | Builds up and blocks your arteriesHelps to cause heart disease |
What should your cholesterol number be? | A good level is 60mg/dL or Higher | A good level is less than 100mg/dL if you have high risk for heart disease. Less than 130mg/dL if you are otherwise healthy |
Medicines to Control Cholesterol
There are different kinds of medicines to control cholesterol.
- HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (also called Statins)
- Bile Acid Sequestrants
- Fibrates
- Niacin
- Combination Drugs
- Other Cholesterol Drugs
There are many different medicines in each group. Here is some general information about the safety warnings and side effects for the different kinds of medicine to control cholesterol. Remember that this list is only some of the risks of taking these medicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about all of the risks of taking your medicine.
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Altoprev | Lovastatin |
Crestor | Rosuvastatin |
Lescol | Fluvastatin |
Lipitor | Atorvastatin |
Mevacor | Lovastatin |
Pravachol | Pravastatin |
Zocor | Simvastatin |
Statins: What You Should Know
Warnings
- Do not use these medicines if you have liver disease.
- Do not use these medicines if you are pregnant or nursing.
- Use these medicines with caution if you are also taking Gemfibrozil, Amiodarone, Verapamil, or blood thinners (anticoagulants).
- People who use some HIV medicines, birth control pills (oral contraceptives), Nefazodone, and niacin should talk to their doctor about the specific risks of using Statins.
- Drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice everyday may affect these “Statin” medicines.
Common Side Effects
- Gas
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
Warning Signs
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
- Fever
- Dark urine
- Muscle pain
- Muscle weakness
Bile Acid Sequestrants
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Colestid | Colestipol |
LoCholest | Cholestyramine |
Prevalite | Cholestyramine |
Questran (oral powder) | Cholestyramine |
Welchol | Colesevelam |
Bile Acid Sequestrants: What You Should Know
Warnings
- Do not use these drugs if you have problems with your liver or gallbladder.
- People who have bleeding problems, heart disease, stomach ulcers, kidney disease, or an under-active thyroid should talk to their doctor about the risks of taking these medicines.
- People who take Spironolactone should talk to their doctor before taking Colestipol (Colestid).
Common Side Effects
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Gas
- Indigestion
- Nausea
Warning Signs
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Sudden weight loss
- Unusual bleeding from gums or rectum
Fibrates
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Lopid | Gemfibrozil |
Tricor | Fenofibrate |
Antara | Fenofibrate |
Triglide | Fenofibrate |
Fibrates: What You Should Know
Warnings
- People with kidney problems, gallbladder disease, or liver disease should not use Lopid or Tricor.
- Do not use these drugs if you are taking other medicines to control cholesterol (HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors also called “Statins”).
- Pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding should talk to their doctor about the risk of taking Lopid and Tricor.
- People who take diabetes medicines or blood thinners (anticoagulants) should talk to their doctor about the risks of taking Lopid and Tricor.
Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Constipation or Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Flushing (redness of the face or neck)
Warning Signs
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
- Muscle pain
- Weakness
- Jaundice (skin or eyes look yellow)
Niacin
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Niaspan | Niacin |
Niacin: What You Should Know
Warnings
- Do not use Niaspan if you have liver disease or if you are taking an immediate-release niacin pill.
- Do not use Niaspan if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- People who are taking aspirin, high blood pressure medicines, HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors (“Statins”), or medicines to lower bile acid should talk to their doctor about the risks of taking Niacin (Niaspan).
- People with kidney disease, peptic ulcer, diabetes, or chest pain should talk to their doctor about the risks of taking this drug.
- People who have had a heart attack or gout should talk to their doctor about the risks of taking this drug.
Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Flushing (redness of the face or neck)
Warning Signs
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
- Fast heartbeat
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Jaundice (skin or eyes look yellow)
Combination Drugs
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Vytorin | Ezetimibe and Simvastatin |
Advicor | Niacin and Lovastatin |
Combination Drugs: What You Should Know
Warnings
- Do not take Vytorin or Advicor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Do not take Vytorin if you have liver disease.
- People taking Gemfibrozil (Lopid), Fenofibrate (Tricor), high blood pressure medicines, Protease Inhibitors (medicines to treat HIV) or blood thinners (anticoagulants) should use caution when taking Vytorin or Advicor.
- If you drink large amounts of grapefruit juice everyday, it may affect Advicor.
Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Flushing (redness of the face or neck)
- Upset stomach
Warning Signs
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
- Dark urine
- Stomach pain
- Muscle pain, tenderness or weakness
- Jaundice (skin or eyes look yellow)
Other Drugs
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Zetia | Ezetimibe |
Other Drugs: What You Should Know
Warnings
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take Zetia with another cholesterol medicine.
- People who have liver disease should not take Zetia with another cholesterol medicine.
- Use caution if you are taking blood thinners (anticoagulants).
Common Side Effects
- Feeling tired
- Stomach pain
Warning Signs
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
- Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
- Stomach pain
- Swelling of the face or lips
- Severe itching
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