Using Drugs That Reduce Cholesterol? Make Sure To Have Regular Blood Tests!

Drugs that reduce CholesterolYou have to consume certain drugs, if you have high cholesterol levels.

Of course, you can control the cholesterol level in your body through diet, but the usage of drugs that reduce cholesterol is also the necessary aspect.

Because, taking proper diet only may not reduce your cholesterol completely.

There are several drugs that reduce cholesterol. Your doctor will suggest the best drugs that reduce cholesterol for you, by knowing the cholesterol percentage in your body with blood test. You have to use these drugs with doctor’s prescription only.

While using drugs that reduce cholesterol you should have regular blood tests to make sure that the medication is working without side effects. In addition to the usage of drugs that reduce cholesterol, you should also keep up the changes in diet and lifestyle. [Lower Cholesterol Diet]

Maintain healthy lifestyle with regular exercise for 30 to 40 minutes and by consuming healthy food with high nutritional values.

Various drugs that reduce cholesterol are:

  • Niacin
  • Bile-acid sequestrants
  • Statins or HMG-CoA  reductase inhibitors

The functions of these drugs that reduce cholesterol are as follows:

Niacin:

  • Niacin is one type of B vitamin supplement.
  • This B-vitamin is found in multi vitamin supplements and foods.
  • If niacin is used in high doses (available by prescription), it will help to reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) and raises the good cholesterol (HDL).
  • Some minor side effects such as itching, tingling skin, flushing and headache will be caused with the usage of niacin.

Bile-acid sequestrants:

  • These bile-acid sequestrants help to limit the liver’s production of cholesterol.
  • Common medications in bile-acid sequestrants include colestid (colestipol) and questran (cholestyramine).
  • The most common side effects that occur due to the usage of this medication are digestive problems such as gas, constipation and stomach upset.

Statins or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors:

  • The powerful drugs that are used to lower cholesterol are statins.
  • These statins will work by interrupting the final step in the chemical pathway that is responsible for creating cholesterol in the liver.
  • Latest research has also proved that, this statins can dramatically reduce the risk of obtaining heart attacks.
  • If the people have heart disease, then usage of this statins will prevent a first or second attack.
  • These statins are well tolerated and safe.
  • The mild side effects that you can obtain with the usage of statins are: abdominal pain, headache, diarrhea, gas and constipation.
  • There are chances to obtain joint or muscle pain with the usage of statins. In some rare cases it can also cause liver damage.

There are various types of statins. Your doctor will prescribe the particular statin which is necessary for you. It’s important to go for regular checkup, if you use these statins.

These are some of the drugs that reduce cholesterol in your body. You should check your cholesterol level more frequently. If you can afford, it’s better to buy a cholesterol monitor and check your cholesterol levels daily.