There are several categories and classifications for medications that could be used in treatment of cholesterol. Choosing the right medicine to give to the patient depends on long criteria which include the present risk factors, level of cholesterol and the personal response of the patient to the drug.
The first group which is growing more popular now is the statin. It is a very effective group of drugs that act by lowering the LDL level in blood through inhibition of the responsible liver enzyme. It had been found that it decreases the incidence of heart attacks drastically after regular treatment, regardless if the heart attack occurred before or not. The statins are classified into four categories, natural statins, synthetic statins, new statins and combination statins. The first category is produced under several brands and it is proved to be safe and gives good results in lowering the cholesterol level.
The second category, synthetic statins, is produced under the name lescol, Lipitor and other generic brands. Lipitor was approved to be used with children to lower their cholesterol level and it is also used for patients reliable to heart attacks
The third category is not as safe as the others but it is still used because it has a potent effect in slowing down the atherosclerosis rate. This category is contra indicated with Asians as it has serious side effects with this race.
The fourth group is a combination between two drugs that act in synergy to lower the cholesterol level in blood. The two drugs could be statins or one of them could be non – statin drug. The two drugs in each combination usually work in different mode of actions. For example one could target lowering the existing LDL in blood while the other is trying to prevent the absorption of new cholesterol molecules through the intestine. Having a drug working in both ways is a very good idea but, the combinations present now in the market are still under extensive research.
Niacin or Nicotinic acid is another category of drugs that affect the cholesterol level but in a totally different way. It tends to increase the level of HDL which in turn helps to reduce the level of LDL in blood. Niacin or Vitamin B3 is present as OTC drug but in very low concentration, Niacin used to treat cholesterol is used in very high concentrations and should be only administered under close monitoring.
Of course there are other types of drugs but those are the most important ones and they are used extensively to treat high cholesterol levels and reduce heart disease risks.