Cholesterol/Lipids - Lowering Medicines—
How Do They Work?
A healthy lifestyle may not be enough to lower your lipids. Your doctor may also ask you to take medicines. There are different types of lipid-lowering medicines. Each one works in a different way to manage your lipids.
Not every medicine is right for everyone. For complete information, including possible side effects and how the medicines you take affect each other, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Over time, you may need more than one kind of medicine to manage your lipids. It may take a while before the medicine takes affect. Even when you reach your lipid goals, you may need to continue taking your medicine for a long time.
Statins
- Slow down the cholesterol made in your body.
- Mainly, lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and may increase HDL (good) cholesterol.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
- Slow down the way your body absorbs cholesterol.
- Often given with statins to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol even more.
Resins (also called bile acid sequestrants)
- Lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and may be given with statins.
Niacin
- Lower triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol, and increase HDL (good) cholesterol.
Fibrates
- Lower triglycerides and may increase HDL (good) cholesterol in some cases.
Omega-3 acid ethyl esters
- Contain omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are "good" fats that your body needs for good health (but cannot make on its own).
- Lower triglycerides.
Fill out a medicine chart with the help of your doctor.
