People suffering from elevated cholesterol levels in the blood know that this pathological condition leads to atherosclerosis. And this disease, in turn, leads to the development of heart attacks, strokes and massive damage to the vascular network throughout the body.
That is why the question of which tablets are very good and inexpensive are used to lower cholesterol levels is very relevant. Only a specialist can prescribe medications that prevent the formation of atherosclerotic deposits in capillaries and arteries.
A preliminary examination is carried out to assess the state of health, blood vessels, internal organs and systems. And only then, based on the data received, the doctor selects the appropriate medications. This article is for informational purposes only, since choosing anti-cholesterol drugs on your own can lead to a number of complications.
The best pills to lower blood cholesterol.
May 13, 2021
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Content
- Atoris
- Livazo
- Ezetrol
- Roxera
- Ineji
If you have had a blood test that shows that your cholesterol levels are elevated, be sure to consult your doctor. He will give recommendations on nutrition and lifestyle adjustments. If necessary, he will prescribe the most effective cholesterol pills that will reduce the risk of developing dangerous diseases.
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is a blood test for cholesterol, and if it shows a high level of only “bad” or total cholesterol, you should take this seriously and do everything to reduce these levels.
For some people, to reduce cholesterol, it is enough to change their lifestyle (diet and more physical activity), but for others whose levels are too high, they need to add drug treatment. If your doctor has prescribed you medications to lower cholesterol levels, take them according to a clearly indicated schedule and do not skip them, because your health depends on it.
There are different groups of drugs to normalize cholesterol .
Statins.
They are suitable for most patients, and they are the only drugs that directly reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. If statins do not help you or there are unwanted side effects, your doctor will help you choose cholesterol pills from a different group.
PCSK9 inhibitors.
Drugs in this group for lowering “bad” cholesterol deactivate the protein in the liver. PCSK9 inhibitors are often prescribed in parallel with statins.
Selective cholesterol absorption inhibitors.
This is a relatively new group of drugs that interfere with the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. SIACs are most effective in reducing the level of “bad” cholesterol, and can also increase “good” cholesterol. Such medications are prescribed for high cholesterol levels, as well as for some hereditary problems with lipid metabolism.
Resins.
This group of cholesterol-lowering drugs is also called bile acid sequestrants or bile acid binders. Resins act in the intestines, helping to remove cholesterol. Our body uses cholesterol to produce bile. If the level of bile in the gastrointestinal tract is insufficient, the liver will stimulate its production, and the more bile produced, the more cholesterol the liver needs. As a result, less of it will circulate in the blood.
Fibrates.
These drugs are very good at lowering triglyceride levels and often normalize the “good” level. At the same time, fibrates have virtually no effect on “bad” cholesterol.
Niacin (nicotinic acid, vitamin PP or B3).
This substance affects the production of fats by working in the liver. When taking drugs from this group, it is necessary to monitor liver function, since niacin is toxic. Side effects include: upset stomach, redness, itching. Patients with diabetes should take the drug with caution, as it may increase blood sugar levels.
Omega-3 ethyl esters.
Cholesterol drugs in this group are made from fish oil (modified and purified). Prescribed against the background of a special diet to reduce cholesterol levels. Serious side effects may occur in patients with allergies to fish or shellfish.
Fish oil with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).
These supplements are also called omega-3 acids and are prescribed to lower triglyceride levels.
All of the above drugs should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor, because there are contraindications and side effects with large doses of such drugs. Dangerous side effects include hemorrhagic stroke and sugar spikes in diabetics.
In Russia, doctors usually prescribe statins to lower cholesterol levels, so let’s talk about drugs from this group.
A nicotinic acid
Nicotinic acid (niacin or vitamin PP) has a multidirectional effect on fat metabolism in the human body. This substance is an important part of some enzymes, without which they will not be able to carry out their function - redox processes in the cells of our body [1].
Under the influence of nicotinic acid, the breakdown of lipids in adipose tissue decreases, the level of “bad” cholesterol decreases and the content of “good” cholesterol increases [3]. This reduces the risk of atherosclerotic vascular damage.
Atoris
This cholesterol-lowering drug comes in tablet form and is available by prescription. The active substance is atorvastatin. "Atoris" is a third-generation cholesterol-lowering medicine and, when taken in a course, helps to cope with the problem. Typically, this drug is prescribed for severe forms of hypercholesterolemia, hereditary high cholesterol, etc. Atoris is indicated for diseases of the cardiovascular system, high risks of coronary artery disease and heart attack.
Cholesterol pills are generally well tolerated, although they do have side effects: joint pain, digestive problems, constipation, muscle pain, liver problems and increased blood sugar.
Contraindications include pregnancy, breastfeeding, serious liver and kidney diseases. In parallel with taking Atoris, you should not drink grapefruit juice or eat the fruit itself.
Atoris
JSC "Biolek", Ukraine
hypercholesterolemia: - as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total cholesterol, LDL-C, apo-B and TG in plasma in adult patients, adolescents and children aged 10 years or older with primary hypercholesterolemia, including familial hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous) or combined (mixed) hyperlipidemia (type IIa and IIb, respectively, according to the Fredrickson classification), when the response to diet and other non-drug treatment methods is insufficient;
- to reduce elevated total cholesterol, plasma LDL cholesterol in adult patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (for example, LDL apheresis), or if such treatments are not available. prevention of cardiovascular diseases: - prevention of cardiovascular events in adult patients at high risk of developing primary cardiovascular events, as an addition to the correction of other risk factors; — secondary prevention of cardiovascular complications in pa from 196
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Fibrates
One of the ways to reduce the amount of lipids in the body is to increase their breakdown. This can be achieved by playing sports - physical activity leads to a decrease in body fat reserves [2]. Another way is to enhance the process of lipid breakdown with drugs.
Fibrates are drugs that can stimulate the breakdown of lipid molecules inside cells [2] [3]. The amount of lipids in cells decreases, and they are forced to take fats from the blood for their own needs. The amount of LDL-C decreases the most.
Livazo
These fourth generation high cholesterol pills are available by prescription. The active substance of Livazo is pitavastatin. This cholesterol medicine is best suited for people with diabetes: it does not increase blood sugar levels or affect glucose metabolism. It is very important to choose the right dose of the drug to prevent unwanted serious reduction in cholesterol.
Livazo
Pierre Fabre, Switzerland
- primary hypercholesterolemia, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (hyperlipidemia type IIa according to Fredrickson classification) or mixed hypercholesterolemia (hyperlipidemia type IIb according to Fredrickson classification), hypertriglyceridemia (hyperlipidemia type IV according to Fredrickson classification) as an addition to diet, when diet and other non-drug treatments (eg exercise, weight loss) are insufficient.
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Summarizing
The choice of appropriate drugs for high cholesterol is the prerogative of the attending physician. Only a specialist is able to assess the patient’s health and select pills for him depending on the indications and taking into account existing contraindications. When choosing medications, you cannot focus only on cost.
Cheap products may not always be of high quality, although a high price does not guarantee a quick and long-lasting effect. It is better to stick to the golden mean, follow the doctor's instructions and take the pills strictly according to the plan. Then the prescribed drug will be beneficial and will not have side effects on the body.
Ezetrol
The tablets can be purchased with a prescription, and the active ingredient in the cholesterol drug is ezetimibe. "Ezetrol" selectively prevents the absorption of cholesterol. This is a new generation medicine that does not stimulate the secretion of bile acids and does not inhibit cholesterol synthesis in the liver. The main effect of Ezetrol is aimed at reducing the flow of bile acids from the intestines to the liver. Thus, cholesterol reserves are reduced and it is intensively removed from the blood. "Ezetrol" is indicated for diabetes mellitus and various causes of high cholesterol.
Side effects include changes in blood tests, allergies and diarrhea. This drug is contraindicated during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and serious liver diseases.
Ezetrol
Schering-Plough, Switzerland
Primary hypercholesterolemia (in combination with statins or as monotherapy in addition to diet to reduce elevated levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and triglycerides, as well as to increase HDL cholesterol levels in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia);
homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (in combination with statins it is recommended to reduce elevated levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and the use of LDL apheresis is also possible); homozygous sitosterolemia (or phytosterolemia) - increased levels of plant sterols in plasma with elevated or normal levels of cholesterol and normal triglycerides. from 1024
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Which cholesterol is good and which is bad?
To move throughout the body and enter organs and tissues, cholesterol uses lipoproteins as transport. There are high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL).
Good cholesterol
is a combination of cholesterol and high-density lipoproteins.
In such a compound, the main part is occupied by protein, and little cholesterol itself. HDL easily transports lipids from organs and tissues to the liver. Cholesterol does not settle anywhere, it is delivered to the liver and excreted from there with bile. In addition, along the way, high-density lipoproteins can collect excess LDL residues and also return them to the liver. For this reason, such compounds are called “good cholesterol”
.
Compounds with low-density lipoproteins are low in protein and high in cholesterol. With the help of LDL, it reaches organs and tissues to perform its functions, but along the way it can linger on the walls of blood vessels. Low-density lipoproteins are difficult to remove from the body and tend to accumulate with age. It is LDL that is commonly called “bad cholesterol”
.
There are variable numbers of high- and low-density lipoproteins in the body. Balance may change. An excess of bad cholesterol and a lack of good cholesterol is directly related to atherosclerosis. Therefore, it is important to monitor fluctuations in HDL and LDL in order to understand what kind of increase in blood cholesterol we are talking about.
Roxera
Cholesterol-lowering tablets are available by prescription and the active ingredient is rosuvastatin. This is the most modern drug of the fourth generation, which has a minimum of side effects. “Roxera” reduces “bad” cholesterol and normalizes “good” cholesterol, cleanses blood vessels of fat deposits and reduces the risk of the formation of cholesterol “plaques”.
This drug is prescribed for the prevention of atherosclerosis with negative heredity in this regard; for the treatment of atherosclerosis, which already exists, as well as its complications. The huge advantage of the drug is that it helps not only fight atherosclerosis, but also relieves inflammation in blood vessels.
"Roxera" should be taken with caution if you have liver disease; taking this medicine during pregnancy and lactation is prohibited. You should not take alcohol or any antibiotics if you are taking Roxera.
Roxera
KRKA (KRKA), Slovenia
- primary hypercholesterolemia (Fredrickson type IIa) or mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson type IIb) as an addition to diet when diet and other non-drug treatments (for example, exercise, weight loss) are ineffective;
- familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia as an addition to diet and other lipid-lowering therapy (for example, LDL apheresis) or if such therapy is not effective; - hypertriglyceridemia (type IV according to Fredrickson) as an addition to the diet; - to slow the progression of atherosclerosis as an addition to the diet in patients who are indicated for therapy to reduce plasma concentrations of cholesterol and LDL cholesterol; - primary prevention of major cardiovascular complications (stroke, myocardial infarction, arterial revascularization) in adult patients without clinical signs of coronary artery disease, but with an increased risk of its development (age over 50 years for men and over 60 years for women, increased plasma concentration of C- reactive protein (≥2 g/l) if present, minimum 275
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List of statin drugs
Which drugs are statins, and what their cholesterol-lowering activity is, can be found in the table below.
| Types of statins | Cholesterol-lowering activity | Name of drugs |
| Rosuvastatin | By 55% | Crestor , Akorta , Mertenil , Roxera , Rosuvastatin , Rozulip , Rosucard , Tevastor , Rozart |
| Atorvastatin | By 47% | Atorvastatin Canon , Atomax , Tulip , Liprimar , Atoris , Torvacard , Liptonorm , Lipitor |
| Simvastatin | By 38% | Zocor , Vazilip , Ovencor , Simvacard , Simvahexal , Simvastatin , Simvor , Simvastol , Simgal, Sincard , Simlo |
| Fluvastatin | By 29% | Lescol Forte |
| Lovastatin | By 25% | Cardiostatin 20 mg, Choletar , Cardiostatin 40 mg |
Classification of statins
In medicine, certain parameters are taken into account for classification.
Origin:
- Synthetic: Cerivastatin , pitavastatin , Rosuvastatin , Fluvastatin , Atorvastatin ).
- Semi-synthetic: Simvastatin , Pravastatin .
- Natural: Lovastatin .
By generation:
- First generation: lovastatin ( Choletar , Cardiostatin );
- Second generation: simvastatin ( Vasilip , Simvacard , Simvastatin , Simvor , Simvastol , Simgal , Zocor , Owencor , Sincard , etc.), pravastatin ;
- Third generation: atorvastatin ( Atomax , Tulip , Liprimar , Atoris , Torvacard , Liptonorm , Lipitor ), cerivastatin , fluvastatin .
- Fourth generation: pitavastatin , rosuvastatin ( Crestor , Akorta , Mertenil , Roxera , Rosuvastatin , Rozulip , Rosucard , Rozart , Tevastor ).
Ineji
These high cholesterol pills are also available with a prescription only. Ineji belongs to a new group of drugs - statins with cholesterol absorption inhibitors. The active ingredients of Ineji are simvastatin and ezetimibe. The medicine does an excellent job of reducing “bad” cholesterol.
Ineji is prescribed for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, for coronary heart disease, after a stroke or heart attack (to prevent recurrent ones), for severely elevated lipids and hereditary problems with cholesterol.
Contraindications: allergic reactions, liver diseases, pregnancy, breastfeeding, age under 18 years, lactase deficiency. Side effects: depression, dizziness, joint pain, nausea, memory problems.
