Cholesterol Management Health Center

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High Cholesterol - Medications

Statins are the most effective and widely used medicines to treat high cholesterol. Evidence shows that statins can reduce the risk for heart attack, stroke, and death.⁸ Other medicines also lower cholesterol, and some may be used to lower triglycerides or raise HDL.

Some people can try diet and exercise for at least 3 months before medicines are started. However, people who have coronary artery disease (CAD) should start taking medicines immediately.¹
Other people who may need to start taking medicine as soon as possible include those who have a strong family history of early CAD, those who have inherited forms of high cholesterol, and those who have peripheral arterial disease or diabetes or who have had a previous heart attack or stroke.

Should I take statins for high cholesterol?

Your doctor may follow NCEP and American Heart Association medicine guidelines in deciding whether you should take medicine to lower your cholesterol. The guidelines base treatment on your LDL level and your risk for CAD.

Cholesterol treatment guidelines will continue to evolve as experts learn more about how best to treat heart disease. However, everyone can benefit from eating a balanced low-fat diet, getting regular exercise, and reducing other heart disease risks, such as smoking.

Medication Choices

The following medicines can be used to lower LDL and triglyceride levels in the blood and to raise HDL:

**Statin medicines**
Brand names	Generic names	How they work
Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, Zocor, Lescol, Crestor, Altocor	atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, rosuvastatin	Reduce how much cholesterol your liver makes

Some statins are combined with another medicine.

**Statin combinations**
Brand names	Generic names	How they work
Vytorin	ezetimibe with simvastatin	Lower how much cholesterol your liver makes and affect how your body absorbs cholesterol
Caduet	atorvastatin with amlodipine	Lower how much cholesterol your liver makes and lower blood pressure
Advicor	niacin with lovastatin	Raise good HDL cholesterol and lower bad LDL cholesterol

Your doctor may prescribe other medicines. Some are used with a statin.

**Drugs that may be used with a statin**
Brand names	Generic names	How they work
Questran, Colestid, Welchol	cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam	Affect how your body removes cholesterol
Lopid, Tricor	gemfibrozil, fenofibrate	Lower triglycerides and can raise good HDL cholesterol. LDL may go up slightly.
Niacor, Niaspan, Nicolar	niacin	Raise good HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides and LDL
Zetia	ezetimibe	Lower how much cholesterol your body can absorb

What to Think About

Men younger than 35 and women who have not reached menopause are at lower risk for heart disease and often can try lifestyle changes before medicines.
Medicine is always added to a diet and exercise plan (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes), not substituted for it.
Side effects are more likely and may be more severe when higher doses of statins are used.
Doctors may also prescribe aspirin therapy if you have had a heart attack or have a high risk for heart attack.

To help you decide whether medicine to lower cholesterol is right for you, see:

Should I take statins for high cholesterol?

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: July 20, 2006

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

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