The Three Categories Of Cholesterol Drugs


Your blood work results have just come back from the lab and your physician is going over the results with you. The only bad news is that your LDL cholesterol is over the normal range and your HDL cholesterol is lower than what it should be. As part of the treatment plan, the doctor has decided to put you on a low fat diet, a vigorous cardiovascular exercise program and use of cholesterol drugs.

Because you want the treatment plan to be successful you listen intently as your physician shares about the three categories of cholesterol drugs that are available. Those three categories of cholesterol drugs are statin, cholesterol absorption inhibitors and bile-acid binding resin.

Statin Drugs

One of the cholesterol drugs that may be prescribed by a physician for a patient with high LDL cholesterol is the medication classified as a statin. The unique action of this cholesterol drug is that it works in concert with the liver and the gallbladder. This is because the liver is the organ in the body that produces cholesterol.

Specifically, this medication combines with the bile that is secreted by the gallbladder and the liver. This combination of bile with the action of the cholesterol drug works within the intestines. The resulting action makes the ingested fatty food more pliable which in turn allows for the food to be absorbed.

As with most drugs, this type of cholesterol drug may have associated side effects. Those effects could include the possibility of muscle aches.

Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors

Another type of cholesterol medication is known as cholesterol absorption inhibitors. The function of this cholesterol drug helps to inhibit the absorption of cholesterol that is eaten by the individual. The action of this medication especially benefits those individuals who have high cholesterol, but may be experiencing liver problems.

Specifically, this type of cholesterol drug, within the digestive track, inhibits the absorption of cholesterol through the work of the small intestine. In addition, because of this action within the digestive system, there may be associated side effects. Some of the side effects can include stomach pain and fatigue.

Bile-Acid Binding Resin

The third cholesterol drug that is utilized to reduce elevated LDL cholesterol counts is the bile-acid binding resin. The similarities between this cholesterol drug and the statin cholesterol drug are similar in that they work in concert with the liver and gallbladder. In addition, like the statin cholesterol drug, the bile-acid binding resin adheres itself to the acid in the bile thus preventing absorption.

However, rather than making the food more digestible, the bile-acid binding resin cholesterol drug prevents absorption of the bile acids. In turn the cholesterol bound fatty food is expelled from the body through the digestive tract.

The use of this type of cholesterol drug may induce certain side effects. Those side effects can include gas, constipation, nausea and bloating.