Fat and Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

Antihyperlipemics are useful for prevention of hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol or triglycerides or fat in the blood). They include statins (known as HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors). These cholesterol-lowering drugs also may improve blood flow through the arteries, even after being taken for only a few months. They are proving to reduce the risk of first and recurrent heart attacks even in people with normal cholesterol levels. Types of statins:

• Atorvastatin (Lipitor®)
• Cerivastatin (Baycol®)
• Fluvastatin (Lescol®)
• Lovastatin (Mevacor®)
• Pravastatin (Pravachol®)
• Simvastatin (Zocor®)

Other drugs that can lower cholesterol and which frequently are used in combination with statins include:

• fibric acid derivatives, including gemfibrozil (Lopid®), clofibrate (Atromid®)
• bile acid sequestrants, such as cholestyramine (Questran®) and colestipol (Colestid®)
• Niacin
• tricor
• ezetimibe (Zetia)

Do not mix any medicines with alcohol without first consulting your healthcare provider.