ProLipid

Cholesterol Drugs Print E-mail
Sunday, 21 September 2008 02:08

Various Pills

The following table contains an overview of cholesterol and triglyceride drugs, together with a rating of their effectiveness, tolerability and safety:

Active Ingredient ClassExample DrugsEffectsEfficacy Toler-ability# Safety##
StatinsLipitor?, Zocor?, Crestor?, Lescol?, Mevacor?, Altocor?, Pravachol?, Selektine?, Vytorin?Lowers:
* LDL-C by 30-50%
* Triglycerides by 20-40%

Raises:
* HDL-C by 10%

*****

****

****

Fibrates (="Fibric Acids")Bezalipf?, TriCor?, Lopid?Lowers:
* LDL-C by 10%
* Triglycerides by 40-60%

Raises:
* HDL-C by 10-20%

****

***

***

EzetimibeZetia?Lowers:
* LDL-C by 20%

***

****

****

Nicotinic acidNiaspan?Lowers:
* LDL-C by 0-15%
* Triglycerides by 30-50%

Raises:
* HDL-C by 15-30%

***

**

***

Bile acid sequestrants ("resins")Questran?, Welchol?, Cholestagel?, Colestid?Lowers:
* LDL-C by 20%

Raises:
* HDL-C by 0-10%

***

*

****

Scale: * (poor) to ***** (excellent)
#Tolerability = frequency of uncomfortable, but harmless side effects
##Safety = overall severity and frequency of side effects
LDL-C = LDL cholesterol, HDL-C = HDL cholesterol

I previously mentioned the difference between the "active ingredient" (which is the substance in a pill responsible for the pharmacological effect) and the trade-name of a drug (refering to the whole pill with all the additives).

On the next pages, I will describe the different drug classes and their effects in more detail.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 November 2008 06:47
 

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