Cholesterol is a blood fat needed by the body in moderate amounts. However, high cholesterol levels can lead to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). Angina is chest pain caused by the restriction of blood flow to the heart (cardiac ischemia). Nitrates may be used to relieve angina.
Most people will have cholesterol blood tests regularly, including triglycerides, HDL, LDL and total cholesterol. Methods for increasing good cholesterol or lowering cholesterol levels may include cholesterol reducing drugs, such as statins, fibrates, niacin (nicotinic acid) and bile acid resins. However, these drugs do not reverse calcification. A heart attack occurs when the coronary arteries become blocked.
Advicor
Lovastatin is used together with lifestyle changes (diet, weight-loss, exercise) to reduce the amount of cholesterol (a fat-like substance) and other fatty substances in the blood. Lovastatin is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body.
Buildup of cholesterol and fats along the walls of the blood vessels (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body. Lowering blood levels of cholesterol and fats may help to decrease your chances of getting heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks. In addition to taking a cholesterol-lowering medication, making certain changes in your daily habits can also lower your cholesterol blood levels. You should eat a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol (see SPECIAL DIETARY), exercise 30 minutes on most, if not all days, and lose weight if you are overweight.
Crestor
Crestor is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (also known as a "statin") used with a proper diet to help lower cholesterol and fat (triglyceride) levels and to raise good cholesterol (HDL) levels in your blood.
Lescol
This medicine is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (also known as a "statin") used in combination with a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to raise good cholesterol (HDL) levels in your blood. This medicine is not a cure for high cholesterol, but may help to control it. This medicine may also be used in certain patients to reduce the risk of blood vessel blockage. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Lipitor
Lipitor blocks the body's ability to make cholesterol. It can help lower blood cholesterol for patients who are at risk of getting heart disease or a stroke. It is only for patients whose cholesterol level is not controlled by diet. It is not a cure. Generic Lipitor tablets are not yet available.
Mevacor
Mevacor is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (also known as a "statin") used in combination with a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood. Mevacor may also be used in certain adolescent patients, age 10 to 17 years, who have a genetically caused cholesterol problem. Mevacor is not a cure for high cholesterol, but may help to control it. Mevacor may also be used in certain patients to reduce the risk of heart attack, blood vessel blockage, or chest pain. Mevacor may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Pravachol
Pravachol is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (also known as a "statin") used in combination with a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to raise good cholesterol (HDL) levels in your blood. Pravachol may also be used in certain children and adolescents over 8 years of age who have a genetically caused cholesterol problem. Pravachol is not a cure for high cholesterol, but may help to control it. Pravachol may also be used in certain patients to reduce the risk of heart attack, blood vessel blockage, stroke, or death due to heart disease. Pravachol may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Tricor
This medicine is a lipid lowering agent used along with your diet to treat high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
Urso
This medicine is a gallstone dissolving agent used to treat certain types of gallstones. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Vytorin
This is a combination of two medicines used to treat high cholesterol. Ezetimibe works by reducing the amount of cholesterol that your body absorbs from your diet. Simvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor or "statin". Vytorin works by blocking an enzyme that is necessary for your body to make cholesterol. Vytorin is used in combination with a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet. Keeping your cholesterol level under control may reduce your risk of heart problems and stroke. Vytorin is not a cure for high cholesterol, but may help to control it. Vytorin may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Zetia
Zetia is used either alone or with other cholesterol lowering drugs (e.g., HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or "statins"), along with a cholesterol-lowering diet, to help lower cholesterol in the blood. Reducing cholesterol helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. Ezetimibe works by reducing the amount of cholesterol your body absorbs from your diet.
Zocor
ZOCOR is an oral contraceptive (birth-control pills) used to prevent pregnancy. Estrogen and progestin are two female sex hormones. Combinations of estrogen and progestin work by preventing the release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation) and changing the cervical mucus and the lining of the uterus. Oral contraceptives are a very effective method of birth control, but they do not prevent the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
