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High Cholesterol
Medicines To Help You
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 Cholesterol |
Bad Cholesterol |
| What is it called? |
HDL |
LDL |
| 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? |
Good level =
60mg/dL or Higher |
Good level =
Less than 100mg/dL if you have high risk for heart diseaseLess 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. These medicines are listed
on the next few pages. You will also find some general information about the
safety warnings and side effects for the different kinds of medicine to control
cholesterol. This guide only talks about some of the risks of taking these
medicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about all of the risks of taking
your medicine.
Write down the important facts about your medicine here.
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (also called 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
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
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
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
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)
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
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)
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
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)
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
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
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
To Learn More
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Health Information Center
Phone: 301-592-8573
Web: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/infoctr/index.htm
The National Women's Health Information Center
Phone: 1-800-994-WOMAN (1-800-994-9662)
1-888-220-5446 for the hearing impaired
Web: http://www.4women.gov/faq/cholesterol.htm
This information reflects FDA's current analysis of data available
to FDA concerning these products. FDA intends to update this sheet when additional
information or analyses become available.
Check the following website for the most recent information about each drug: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/
