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What medicines will I take for high cholesterol?
Medications Statins are the most effective and widely
used medicines to treat high cholesterol. Evidence shows that statins
can reduce the risk for heart attack, stroke, and death. 7 Other
medicines also lower cholesterol, and some may be used to lower
triglycerides or raise HDL. Some people can try diet and exercise
for at least 3 months before medicines are started. However, people
who have coronary artery disease (CAD) should start taking medicines
immediately. 1 Other people who may need to start taking medicine
as soon as possible include those who have a strong family history
of early CAD, those who have inherited forms of high cholesterol,
and those who have peripheral arterial disease or diabetes or who
have had a previous heart attack or stroke.
Should I take statins for high cholesterol?
Your doctor may follow NCEP and American Heart Association
medicine guidelines in deciding whether you should take medicine
to lower your cholesterol. The guidelines base treatment on your
LDL level and your risk for CAD. Cholesterol treatment guidelines
will continue to evolve as experts learn more about how best to
treat heart disease. However, everyone can benefit from eating a
balanced low-fat diet, getting regular exercise, and reducing other
heart disease risks, such as smoking.
Statin medicines
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Brand names
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Generic names
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How they work
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Lipitor,
Mevacor, Pravachol, Zocor, Lescol, Crestor, Altocor
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atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin,
rosuvastatin |
Reduce how much cholesterol your liver makes |
Your doctor may prescribe other medicines. Some are used with a
statin.
Drugs that may be combined with or used with a
statin
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Brand names
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Generic names
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How they work
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Zetia
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Ezetimibe |
Lower how much cholesterol your body can absorb |
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Vytorin
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ezetimibe with simvastatin |
Lower how much cholesterol your liver makes and affect how
your body absorbs cholesterol. |
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Caduet
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atorvastatin with amlodipine |
Lower how much cholesterol your liver makes and lower blood
pressure |
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Questran,
Colestid, Welchol
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cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam |
Affect how your body removes cholesterol |
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Lopid,
Tricor
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gemfibrozil, fenofibrate |
Lower triglycerides and can raise good HDL cholesterol. LDL
may go up slightly. |
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Niacor,
Niaspan, Nicolar
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niacin |
Raise good HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides and LDL |
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Advicor
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niacin with lovastatin |
Raise good HDL cholesterol |
What to Think About Men younger than 35 and women
who have not reached menopause are at lower risk for heart disease
and often can try lifestyle changes before medicines. Medicine is
always added to a diet and exercise plan (Therapeutic Lifestyle
Changes), not substituted for it. Doctors may also prescribe aspirin
therapy if you have had a heart attack or have a high risk for heart
attack.
- ********* Always CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR AND DIETICIAN first ********
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