High Cholesterol--Medicines To Help You
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. Cholesterol can build up on the
inside of the blood vessels of your heart. If too much cholesterol builds up,
then the blood cannot flow through to your heart. This can cause a heart attack.
Most people do not show any signs of high cholesterol. The only way to know for
sure is to go to the doctor and ask for a cholesterol test.� If your doctor
tells you that you have high cholesterol, 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.
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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 =
Good level =
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.
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
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
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)
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:
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Fast heartbeat
Fainting
Dizziness
Jaundice (skin or eyes look yellow)
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)
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
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
What drugs am I taking?
What are the side effects?
What other prescription drugs should I
avoid while taking my medicines?
What foods, herbs, or over-the-counter
medicines should I avoid?
When should I take each drug? How many
times per day do I take each drug?
Can I take my medicines if I am pregnant
or nursing?
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