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Cholesterol Lowering Medications Topic Guide

Cholesterol Lowering Medications Cholesterol Lowering Medications: Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that your body needs to function normally. If a person has too much cholesterol in their bloodstream, it can lead to heart disease. Cholesterol lowering medications include statins (Lipitor, Lescol, Mevacor, Altocor, Pravachol, Zocor, and Crestor), bile acid sequestrants (Questran, Colestid, WelChol), nicotinic acid agents (niacin, Niacor, Slo-Niacin), and fibrates (Lopid, Tricor). Side effects, drug interactions, and warnings and precautions should be reviewed prior to taking these medications.
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How to Lower Cholesterol
How to Lower Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is naturally present in the body. Diets high in fat, inactivity, and obesity contribute to high cholesterol. Some factors such as genetics are uncontrollable for having high cholesterol. You can lower your cholesterol levels naturally with lifestyle changes such as

If these measures don't lower cholesterol enough a person may need to take cholesterol medications.

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Cholesterol Lowering Medications Topic Guide - Visuals

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Cholesterol Lowering Medications Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins

Medications:

ezetimibe and simvastatin Ezetimibe And Simvastatin

Ezetimibe reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the body. Simvastatin is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins."

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amlodipine and atorvastatin Amlodipine And Atorvastatin

Amlodipine and atorvastatin is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain (angina), and coronary artery disease (clo...learn more »

ezetimibe Ezetimibe

Ezetimibe reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the body...learn more »

colesevelam Colesevelam

Colesevelam lowers "bad" cholesterol in the blood, which is also called LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Lowering your LDL cholesterol may reduce ...learn more »

fenofibrate Fenofibrate

Fenofibrate helps reduce cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty acids) in the blood. High levels of these types of fat in the blood are associated with an incr...learn more »

atorvastatin Atorvastatin

Atorvastatin is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Atorvastatin reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprot...learn more »

fluvastatin Fluvastatin

Fluvastatin is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Fluvastatin reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotei...learn more »

psyllium Psyllium

Psyllium is a bulk-forming fiber laxative. Psyllium works by absorbing liquid and swelling in the intestines to create a softer, bulky stool that is easier t...learn more »

simvastatin Simvastatin

Simvastatin is used to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides, and increase levels of "good" cholesterol...learn more »

colestipol Colestipol

Colestipol is a cholesterol-lowering drug...learn more »

pravastatin Pravastatin

Pravastatin is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Pravastatin reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotei...learn more »

gemfibrozil Gemfibrozil

Gemfibrozil helps reduce cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty acids) in the blood. High levels of these types of fat in the blood are associated with an incr...learn more »