The Effectiveness of Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

Cholesterol lowering drugs have attracted considerable attention in recent times. This is because of their potential to prevent cardiovascular disease by retarding the accelerated atherosclerosis in patients who have a high cholesterol level. Several drugs are used to lower the plasma level of cholesterol. Drugs basically lower the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level because raised LDL is associated with atherosclerosis. On the other hand, the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level is increased because it is protective against atherosclerosis.

Some defects in cholesterol metabolism leads to a number of diseases in which cholesterol levels are high. Such groups of diseases are known as primary hyperlipoproteinemias. Cholesterol lowering drugs are used to treat such conditions.

High cholesterol level is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The decision to prescribe drugs depends not only on the LDL Cholesterol level but also on the associated Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) risk factors like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity etc. All subjects should be given the drug therapy if the LDL Cholesterol level is more than 190 mg/dl. In those with existing coronary heart disease, drugs are recommended even at 100 mg/dl.

Statins Are The Leading Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

Statins or HMG-COA reducatse inhibitors are the commonest drugs which are used to lower the cholesterol levels. These drugs are highly tolerated and are very effective. They inhibit HMG-COA reductase, which is an important enzyme in the metabolism of cholesterol. Therapeutic doses reduce cholesterol synthesis by 20-50%. The commonly used statins are lovastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, simvastatin. Different statins differ in their potency and maximal efficacy in reducing LDL Cholesterol. The enzyme, HMG-COA reductase which is inhibited by these drugs has maximum activity towards midnight. This is the reason that all statins are administered at bedtime to obtain maximum effectiveness.

Statins are usually well tolerated. However there may be some side effects like headache, bowel upset, nausea, rashes. Sleep disturbances have also been reported. Muscle tenderness in not a common side effect. Statins are the first choice drugs to lower cholesterol levels. They are also the first choice drugs to lower cholesterol levels in diabetics.

Common Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

Bile Acid sequestrants or Resins are another group of drugs, which are used in lowering cholesterol levels. Commonly used resins are cholestyramine, colestipol. These drugs bind bile acids in the intestine. Bile acids bound to the drugs are lost in stool and the depletion of bile acid pool stimulates conversion of cholesterol to bile acid, the result is a fall in cholesterol level. About half the patients who take cholestyramine experience constipation and some complain of anorexia, abdominal fullness and occasionally of diarrhea.

Nicotinic acid is also used to lower plasma triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations and raise HDL Cholesterol. Flushing of the skin and gastrointestinal upset commonly occur.

Another class of drugs used to lower cholesterol level is Fibric Acid derivatives. They activate lipoprotein lipase which is a key enzyme in the degradation of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) resulting in lowering circulating triglycerides. The drugs are clofibrate, gemfibrozil, bezafibrate etc. Common side effects are loose motions, skin rashes, body ache and headache. Some other drugs like Probucol and Gugulipid also lower cholesterol levels.

These drugs help in lowering the cholesterol levels. However, life style modifications such as low fat, happinesslifetime.com low cholesterol diet, regular exercises, smoking cessation etc. should be followed in order to lower the cholesterol level. This should be the primary approach whether drugs are used or not.

Interested in what the most common and effective cholesterol.infotipsandguides.com/cholesterol/cholesterol-drugs.php Cholesterol lowering drug treatments are for lowering high levels of bad cholesterol?

Try visiting cholesterol.infotipsandguides.com Cholesterol.infotipsandguides.com an informative website that provides Cholesterol tips and resources to include information on understanding cholesterol.infotipsandguides.com/how-to-lower-cholesterol/how-to-lower-cholesterol.php how to lower cholesterol for people that have been diagnosed with high levels of bad cholesterol.