Common cholesterol problems are usually solved by making some changes in lifestyle and diet or relying on natural methods, but in some cases these methods may not produce the desired results, so drug options are resorted to, so get acquainted with us through the following article on the most prominent cholesterol medications What is used, when to use it, side effects that you should pay attention to, and other important and necessary tips.

When is cholesterol treatment taken?

Cholesterol medication is prescribed in the following cases:

• In the event that the usual methods of lowering the level of cholesterol, such as diet or exercise, do not work.
• In the event of a previous heart attack or stroke, or in the event of peripheral drinking disease.
• If your LDL or bad cholesterol is 190 mg/dL or higher.
• If the age is between 40 and 75 years, and the patient has diabetes and a bad cholesterol level of 70 mg/dl or higher.
• In the event that the age is between 40 and 75 years, and the patient is at risk of heart disease or stroke, and the cholesterol level is 70 mg / dL or higher.

Cholesterol medications

There are several categories of medications used to treat high cholesterol, and the doctor determines the appropriate type for you according to your general health condition. The most common cholesterol medications used include:

1- Statins

One of the most popular classes of drugs used to treat cholesterol problems is statins. These drugs lower cholesterol by blocking and blocking liver enzymes that the liver uses to make cholesterol. These medications also help improve the function of the inner lining of the blood vessels, and reduce any inflammation or swelling.

The most common statins include:

2- PCSK9 inhibitors

They are a class of cholesterol medications (often injectables) that are specifically designed to bind to a specific protein found in the liver, which helps lower cholesterol. This type of medication can be taken with statins, and is usually prescribed to people who are at high risk of heart disease and cannot lower their cholesterol levels in the usual ways.

PCSK9 inhibitor medications include:

• Evolocumab.
• Alirocumab.

3- Fibric acid derivatives

Fibric acid derivatives are commonly used to lower triglycerides in the body, but they can also be used to increase HDL, or the good cholesterol, in the body, and to decrease the liver’s production of LDL, or bad cholesterol. This class of drugs is not usually prescribed for patients with liver and kidney disease.

Some fibric acid derivative medications include:

4- Bile acid sequestrants

This class of drugs works inside the intestines, by attaching to bile (a greenish fluid made of cholesterol that is produced in the liver to help digest food). And the adhesion of drugs to bile causes a decrease in the production of cholesterol in the body, as these drugs work to reduce the level of bad cholesterol, which increases the percentage of the good type.

Among the bile acid sequestrant drugs:

• Cholestyramine.
• Colesevelam.
• Colestipol.

5- Niacin

Niacin or nicotinic acid is a group of B complex vitamins, and these drugs can sometimes be obtained without a prescription. This class of drugs works to lower levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which increases HDL cholesterol levels.

The most popular niacin medications include:

• Extended-release niacin (brand name Niaspan).
• immediate-acting niacin (branded as Niacor)
• Limited niacin (branded as Slo Niacin).

6- Bempedoic Acid

It is a relatively new medication that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to lower cholesterol. This medication works within the liver to reduce cholesterol production. It is usually available in the form of tablets of 180 grams, which are taken once a day, and should not be taken with statins.

7- Omega-3 products or medicines

Among cholesterol medications, omega-3 products or drugs or ethyl esters of omega-3 fatty acids are used to lower triglycerides. Most of these products are over-the-counter and are extracted from fish oils, then chemically altered and purified.

These omega-3 products or medications include:

• Icosapent ethyl.
• Lovaza.
• Omtryg.

Best time to take cholesterol pills

There are some types of medications, which, according to some research, are preferable to be taken during the evening, such as statins, but opinions differ, so it is preferable to leave the appointment of taking the medication to the specialist doctor, and whatever date is set to take the cholesterol medication, the medication must be taken at the same time. The appointment is every day, and this appointment should not be changed without consulting the doctor first.

Cholesterol side effects

As mentioned earlier, common cholesterol medications are divided into several categories, and the harms and side effects of cholesterol medications according to each category include the following:

1- Possible side effects of statins:

• Nausea.
• constipation.
• Headache.
• Possibility of developing symptoms similar to those of a common cold.
• muscle pain;
• Insufficiency of liver function.
• High blood glucose levels.

Warning: In the case of taking statins, you should avoid taking any products that contain grapefruit, as grapefruit causes an increase in side effects.

2- Side effects of PCSK9 inhibitors:

• muscle pain;
• Back ache.
• Swelling at the injection site.
• Cold-like symptoms.

3- Side effects of bile acid sequestrants:

• Sore throat.
• Runny nose.
• constipation or diarrhoea.
• Lose weight.
• bloating
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Collywobbles.

Warning: If the medicine is in powder form, it should never be taken dry and should be mixed with water or juice.

4- Side effects of fibric acid derivatives:

• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Lose weight.
• feeling bloated
• vomiting.
• abdominal pain
• Headache or headache in the back of the head.
• muscle pain;
• Feeling weak and tired.

5- Side effects of niacin drugs:

• Redness of the face and the upper part of the body. This is the most common side effect that may appear. This redness can be reduced if the drug is taken with meals or if aspirin is taken 30 minutes before the drug.
• itching or tingling feeling
• Headache.
• upset stomach
• Possible high blood sugar.
• cough.

6- Omega-3 side effects:

• burping
• Skin rash.
• itching
• The presence of fish taste in the mouth.

Warning: These products can interact with other medications, and some people may be allergic to fish and shellfish, so this type of medication should not be taken.

7- Bempedoic acid side effects:

• An upper respiratory infection.
• Back ache.
• ‘L’ muscle and stomach.
• High levels of uric acid in the body.
• Tendon injuries.

Important tips when taking cholesterol medication

• The medicine should be taken at the same time every day, and the appointment should not be changed without consulting the doctor.
• Note and record any changes that occur when taking the medication.
• Take the full amount of medication prescribed, and not stop just because you feel better.
• You should not take any over-the-counter medications or herbs to treat cholesterol without consulting your doctor first.
• If a dose is forgotten, it should not be taken with another dose or taken at the wrong time without consulting the doctor first.
• In the event that you are undergoing any surgery that requires anesthesia, it is important and necessary to tell the specialist doctor about the medications you are taking.
• In case of experiencing changes in heartbeat, after taking the medicine, you must tell the doctor to find out if this is a normal side effect or whether the medicine or dose should be changed.

How long does cholesterol treatment last?

You should know that cholesterol levels decrease over time with treatment, not in an abrupt manner, and there is usually no guaranteed length of time for cholesterol to decrease after applying treatments.

But the effect of cholesterol medications usually appears within 6 or 8 weeks, and life changes can help make a difference in the level of cholesterol within weeks, but the effect may not appear sometimes until after a longer period of up to 3 months.