STATINS CHOLESTEROL MEDICATIONS

Statins area commonly called cholesterol-lowering medications.

Some generic (and Brand) names

All medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a specific patient group or condition. Consult your doctor for which medications are appropriate for you.

• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Fluvastatin (Lescol)
• Lovastatin (Altocor, Mevacor)
• Pravastatin (Pravachol)
• Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
• Simvastatin (Zocor)

What they’re used for

• To lower cholesterol levels
• To reduce the risk of conditions related to high cholesterol:
• Carotid artery disease, which can cause strokes
• Coronary artery disease (CAD), which can cause heart attacks
• Peripheral vascular disease (PVD), which can cause leg or arm pain

How they work

Stating medications affect three types of fats in the blood. They work by:

• Lowering the levels of LDL or low-density lipoprotein, also called bad cholesterol
• Lowering triglycerides
• Raising the leves of HDL or High-density lipoprotein, also called good cholesterol

Your liver makes most of your cholesterol. In people with high cholesterol, the lives forms more cholesterol than the body needs. The extra cholesterol goes into your blood. Statins block liver cells from producing too much cholesterol.