Lowering Cholesterol Drugs Information On Their Effects

What are the lowering cholesterol drugs? Why are they used for? How far can you benefit? What are their side effects?

The high cholesterol diseases can cause severe consequences including savory death. That's why scientific arsenal has come out with cholesterol reducing drugs to control high cholesterol levels.

However, your doctor will suggest some lifestyle changes apart from the drugs.

Of course, the doctor is the one who decide on which drug to choose for your case; but it is also important that you (as a patient) could get knowledge on them.

Lowering cholesterol drugs - What's out in the market nowadays?

1. Niacin: Niacin is a water-soluble vitamin B that is also known as nicotinic acid. It improves the lipoproteins to the body and lowers the total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It also raises the HDL cholesterol.

Types of niacin - There exist immediate release and timed release niacin drugs.

Niacin side effects include hot flushes, nausea, indigestion, diarrhea and peptic ulcers. It can also contribute to liver problems, gout and high blood sugar.

Niacin is carefully used in diabetics due to its content in sugar. However you should your doctor or pharmacist for more specific data.

2. Bile acid sequestrants: There are many types of bile-acid sequestrants, which include cholestyramine powder, colestipol and colesevelam.

Bile-acid sequestrants lower the LDL cholesterol. The liver then converts cholesterol into more bile acids, lowering cholesterol levels.

Bile-acid sequestrants are often used in conjunction with a statin or niacin drug.Side effects happen from bile-acid sequestrants include constipation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss and flatulence. This drugs even reduce the vitamin A, D, K, & E absorption.

3. Statin: These drugs are often prescribed to lower cholesterol. There are many types of statin drugs including norvir, fortovase, pravachol, zocor, liitor, baycol and lescol.

Although their effectiveness in lowering cholesterol levels, due to severe and dangerous side effects, statin drugs mean should be taken carefully.

These drugs can cause muscular disorder also. In some cases, co-enzyme Q10 supplement is given together with the statin drugs.

These are the important drugs now days that the people are taking and which are available even in market also. Internet and medical information archives could provide other valuable information for you.

REMEMBER: Do not experiment with your body! Always be close to your doctor for any change you decide to make!

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