Statins
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Fluvastatin (Lescol XL)
Lovastatin (Altoprev)
Pitavastatin (Livalo)
Pravastatin (Pravachol)
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Simvastatin (Zocor) |
Lowering LDL and triglycerides; slightly increase HDL |
Muscle pain, increased blood sugar levels, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, cramps, elevated liver enzymes |
Cholesterol absorption inhibitor
Ezetimibe (Zetia) |
Lowering LDL; slightly lower triglycerides; slightly increase HDL |
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, muscle aches; avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding |
PCSK9 inhibitors
Alirocumab (Praluent)
Evolocumab (Repatha) |
Lower LDL; usually reserved for people who have a genetic condition that causes very high LDL levels or people with heart disease who can’t tolerate statins or other cholesterol-lowering drugs |
Itching, swelling, pain or bruising at the injection site |
Citrate lyase inhibitors
Bempedoic acid (Nexletol)
Bempedoic acid-ezetimibe (Nexlizet) |
Lower LDL |
Muscle spasms and joint pain, including acute gout |
Bile acid sequestrants
Cholestyramine (Prevalite)
Colesevelam (Welchol)
Colestipol (Colestid) |
Lower LDL; maybe slightly increase HDL |
Constipation, bloating, nausea, gas, heartburn |
Combination of cholesterol absorption inhibitors and statins
Ezetimibe-simvastatin (Vytorin) |
Lowering LDL and triglycerides; increase HDL |
Abdominal pain, fatigue, gas, constipation, stomach ache, cramps, muscle aches, aches and weakness |
Combination of calcium channel blockers and statins
Amlodipine-atorvastatin (Caduet) |
The statin component lowers LDL and triglycerides; Calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure |
Red face and neck, dizziness, palpitations, muscle aches and pains, increased blood sugar levels, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, cramps, elevated liver enzymes |
Fibrates
Fenofibrate (Antara, Lipofen, others)
Gemfibrozil (Lopid) |
Lowering triglycerides; slightly lower LDL; increase HDL |
Nausea, stomach ache, muscle pain |
Niacin
Prescription niacin (Niacor, Niaspan) |
Lowering LDL and triglycerides; increase HDL |
Reddened face and neck, itching, abdominal pain, increased blood sugar |
Omega-3 fatty acids
Prescription versions include Lovaza, Omacor and Vascepa |
Lowering triglycerides; can increase HDL |
Burping, fishy taste, indigestion; can increase the risk of bleeding |
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