Are you dealing with high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL)? If so, the first and most important change you must implement is in your diet. A change in fitness is also a must, as only through these positive changes can you lower LDL successfully. However, for some people, those two alone may not be sufficient in lowering bad cholesterol. Some require medicine on top of other changes.
Are you in need of bad cholesterol-lowering medication? If so, here are some drugs that can help you:
Statins
This is the first recommendation you will likely get from your doctor should you need to take medication for LDL. These drugs work to slowly raise your HDL, which is good cholesterol. Such medications include Zocor, Livalo, and a few other drugs—all of which can help you lower LDL levels in your body.
Note that side effects include intestinal issues and possible muscle inflammation. In rare cases, it can hurt the liver. It can negatively interact with other medication, so consult with the doctor before using it.
Nicotinic Acid
Nicotinic acid, a B-vitamin, helps lower LDLs and raise HDLs. You may find this type of drug under brands such as Niaspan and Niacor. Side effects may include itching, tingling, flushing, and headaches.
Fibrates
Fibrates are a type of substance that aims to boost your HDL levels while lowering triglycerides in your body. Triglycerides are a type of fat generally found in your blood, and these are converted from calories that you do not use right away. Triglycerides are also altered stored in fat cells to be slowly released when you need energy.
Fibrates are available as Fenofibrate and Gemfibrozil, and side effects may include nausea, back pain, headache, and respiratory disorders.
ACL Inhibitors
ACL inhibitors are drugs that stop your liver from processing cholesterol. This means lowered LDL levels in your body, especially for those dealing with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and other issues. The side effect of this drug (available as Bempedoic Acid) is that it can lead to anemia, bronchitis, and uric acid in the blood. It can also cause belly pain and back pain, and the enzymes in the liver may go higher.
PCSK9 Inhibitors
PCSK9 inhibitors are a type of drug used by adults who have heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). People with this kind of problem have issues lowering cholesterol levels, and the drug comes in the form of Repatha or Praluent. The side effects of this drug may include itching, swelling, pain, and even bruising in the area that the inhibitor was injected into.
Conclusion
As you can see, although the above medication can help to lower LDL levels, they come with a myriad of side effects that make the ordeal tough. As such, if you are a healthy individual looking to simply lower LDL levels, it is vital to first set a healthy diet along with a more active lifestyle to lower bad cholesterol naturally. Only if it is necessary should you use any of the above medication—and only under the guidance of a doctor to ensure you maximize your benefits while reducing negative side effects.
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