Cholesterol Medications (Cont.)

Cholesterol Medications: Statins

Statins are the most prescribed cholesterol medications. The major effect of the statins is to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, They lower LDL cholesterol more than other types of cholesterol medications. The large reductions in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol produced by these cholesterol medications have resulted in large reductions in heart attacks and heart disease-related deaths.
 
Statins inhibit an enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. These cholesterol medications lower cholesterol by slowing down the production of cholesterol and by increasing the liver's ability to remove the LDL cholesterol already in the blood.
 
Studies using statins have reported 20 percent to 60 percent lower LDL cholesterol levels in patients on these cholesterol medications. Statins also reduce elevated triglyceride levels and produce a modest increase in HDL cholesterol.
 
The statins are usually administered in a single dose at the evening meal or at bedtime. It is important that these cholesterol medications be taken in the evening, because the body makes more cholesterol at night than it does during the day.
 
You should begin to see results from the statins after several weeks, with a maximum effect in 4 to 6 weeks. After about 6 to 8 weeks, your doctor can do the first check of your LDL cholesterol while on the cholesterol medication. A second measurement of your LDL cholesterol level will have to be averaged with the first for your doctor to decide whether your dose of cholesterol medication should be changed to help you meet your goal.
 
The statins are well tolerated by most patients, and serious statin side effects are rare. The side effects of statins usually are mild to moderate in severity and generally go away as your body adjusts. A few patients will experience:
 
 
In rare cases, a patient will develop abnormalities in blood tests of the liver. Another rare side effect of statins is muscle problems, the symptoms of which are muscle soreness, pain, and weakness. If you experience these symptoms, or if you have brown urine, contact your doctor right away to get blood tests for possible muscle problems.
 
Examples of statins used for lowering cholesterol include:
 
(Cholesterol Medications Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD