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The Three Cholesterol Medication Categories |
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Written by Webmaster
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By Gladys Franz
 When your blood lab results indicate your LDL cholesterol is high and your HDL cholesterol is low, your doctor may decide to put you on cholesterol medication. He shares with you that cholesterol is an important part of the process that keeps your body functioning. Additionally, he explains that there are two types of cholesterol critical to the normal functioning of the body.
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is the good cholesterol and has been shown to actually reduce levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is your bad cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol may present a health risk can including hardening of the arteries, stroke, and coronary heart disease.
Three categories of cholesterol medication include the statin, bile-acid binding resin, and cholesterol absorption inhibitors.
Statin Drugs
Statin drugs have been medically proven to lower the levels of cholesterol. However, with any medication, you should discuss this option with your physician as there are particular side effects associated with this cholesterol medication.
This particular category of cholesterol-lowering drugs works within the intestinal tract by combining
with the bile secreted by the gallbladder and liver. This statin-bile combination softens ingested fatty food substances, which allows for that food to be absorbed.
Side effects could include muscle aches and if these symptoms develop you should contact your physician.
Bile-Acid Binding Resin
Another drug class that addresses elevated cholesterol levels is bile-acid binding resin. This type of medication also works in concert with the bile secreted from the gallbladder and liver. One of the functions of the liver, in the digestive process, is to turn cholesterol into bile acids that make their way into the intestinal tract where they are absorbed and returned to the liver.
This type of cholesterol medication binds itself to the bile acid and prevents these acids from being absorbed. Ultimately they are dispelled through the digestive tract.
The levels of LDL cholesterol drop dramatically when this particular type of cholesterol medication is combined with other medications, such as nicotinic acid. Side effects can include constipation, bloating, nausea, and gas.
Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
One additional cholesterol medication, classified as a cholesterol-lowering pharmaceutical, is the cholesterol absorption inhibitors. As the name implies, this class of drug prevents the absorption of cholesterol. It is generally prescribed to individuals who cannot take the statin class of cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Unlike the statin medication, the cholesterol absorption inhibitors work within the digestive track and not with the liver in absorbing the fatty food. The side effects of this cholesterol medication could include stomach pain and fatigue.
Gladys Franz is a heart attack survivor and author of several articles on the dangers of Bad Cholesterol. To read more, please visit Best Cholesterol Info. Share Your Opinion. (0 posts)
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