Medicines for cholesterol
Whether elevated cholesterol is treated with medicines depends on the total picture of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In addition to high cholesterol, risk factors for cardiovascular disease include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, stress, obesity, little exercise, an unhealthy diet and drinking more than two glasses of alcohol per day. There are different types of medicines that can be used for high cholesterol.Usage
Cholesterol lowering drugs should be used daily. Because they are not noticed, people are sometimes inclined to forget them. If a check shows that your cholesterol levels are good, it is usually the intention that you continue to use them. If you stop taking it, your cholesterol level will almost always rise again.Statins
You will usually receive medicine from the statin group. Statins are cholesterol synthesis inhibitors; they inhibit the production of cholesterol in the liver and thus reduce cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol production is highest at night. It is therefore usually advised to take a statin in the evening. Well-known statins are atorvastatin (Lipitor) and Crestor. Statins can lower your cholesterol levels by 30 to 50 percent and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Statins have been in the news a lot because of their side effects. However, statins are usually well tolerated. You will find a complete overview of the side effects in the package leaflet. The most common side effects are:- Stomach and intestinal complaints; occur mainly at the beginning of treatment. It usually helps if you take this medicine with some food. If it continues to bother you after a few days, discuss it with a doctor.
- Fatigue, headache and dizziness; occur mainly at the beginning of treatment. If it continues to bother you after a few days, discuss it with a doctor.
- Muscle complaints; Usually these are mild and harmless, but in very rare cases they can also be serious. The symptoms are severe muscle pain, muscle weakness, feeling ill, fever, nausea and vomiting. In this case, contact a doctor immediately. Also consult with a doctor if you have unexplained muscle pain. If this is due to the medication, the doctor may reduce the dosage or prescribe another medication. Recently, research has also been conducted into the effect of the use of coenzyme Q10 on statin-related muscle complaints. This showed a positive effect, but the study population was too small to draw firm conclusions.
Fibrates
Fibrates reduce the amount of fat in the blood by stimulating enzymes that play a role in the storage, processing and burning of fat. They also improve the ratio between good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). Fibrates are mainly used for elevated levels of triglycerides. You will find a complete overview of the side effects in the package leaflet. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal complaints. Contact a doctor if this bothers you a lot.Bile acid binding resins
Bile acid binding resins indirectly lower blood cholesterol levels. Because they bind to bile acids in the intestine, they are not absorbed into the blood. The liver then starts making new bile acids and needs cholesterol for this. This reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood. Cholestyramine (Questran) is a bile acid sequestrant. It is usually used in combination with a statin when this alone has insufficient effect. The most common side effect is constipation. This mainly occurs at high doses. The following follow: gastrointestinal complaints, deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) after long-term use and hypersensitivity to the drug (skin rash, itching and hives). You will find a complete overview of the side effects in the package leaflet.Nicotinic acid derivatives
These derivatives of nicotinic acid inhibit the release of fatty acids, the building blocks for fats and cholesterol, in the body. This allows the liver to produce less fats and cholesterol. Acipimox (Nedios / Olbetam) is a nicotinic acid derivative. It works effectively, but has more side effects than the other cholesterol-lowering agents. The most common side effects are hot flashes (this is when your body gets used to the drug after a few days), gastrointestinal complaints and headache. You will find a complete overview of the side effects in the package leaflet.Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
A cholesterol absorption inhibitor inhibits the absorption of cholesterol from food and bile. It is usually prescribed in combination with other cholesterol lowering drugs. When other cholesterol lowering drugs cannot be used (for example due to side effects), they are sometimes prescribed on their own. Ezetimibe (Ezetrol) is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal complaints, fatigue and headache. You will find a complete overview of the side effects in the package leaflet.
