Once you have determined that you have high cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe one of the following drugs to lower LDL cholesterol levels. Your physician will also probably suggest that you change your diet to one low in fat, maintain a healthy weight, get on a regular exercise program, and stop smoking, if applicable.

Although some of these drugs can help lower cholesterol, they tend to be expensive and can produce serious side effects. Take time to read up on the side effects and consult with your doctor if serious reaction occurs.

Statin Drugs

These drugs have been successful in lowering cholesterol however; you should discuss this option thoroughly with your physician since there is definite risk associated with these drugs.

• Norvir (ritonavir)
• Fortovase (saquinavir)
• Pravachol (pravastatin)
• Zocor (simvastatin)
• Lipitor (atorvastatin)
• Baycol (cerivastatin)
• Lescol (fluvastatin)

Rhabdomyolysis - muscular disorder. When on Statin drugs, if you experience any type of muscle aches, you should contact your physician. Individuals that have mild kidney dysfunction are at a higher level of risk for suffering from side effects associated with Statin drugs.

Latest research suggests that if you are taking one of the statin drugs (Mevacor, Lescol, Pravachol, Zocor, Lipitor), you also take Co-Enzyme Q-10 as a supplement. Since this necessary enzyme is depleted by taking these drugs, and it is critical that you supplement Co-Q to protect your heart.

Bile Acid Sequestrates

• Colestid (colestipol HCI)
• Questran (cholestyramine)

Bile acids are secreted from the liver and gall bladder in the bile. This goes into the intestine to soften any fatty material in food helping with absorption. A majority of these secreted bile acids are then reabsorbed from the intestines and then back to the liver. The one major drawback of these drugs is the malabsorption.

Nicotinic acid (or niacin)

Large doses of the vitamin niacin can lower triglycerides. Additionally, niacin (or nicotinic acid) can lower LDL "bad" cholesterol and increase HDL "good" cholesterol.

Fibric acids (or fibrates)

Fibric acid (or fibrates) work by reducing triglyceride production and removing triglycerides from circulation. These triglyceride-lowering drugs also increase the levels of HDL "good" cholesterol. Fibrates include gemfibrozil (Lopid) and fenofibrate (Tricor).

As with decisions about any medication, making the decision about which cholesterol-lowering drug is right for you is an important one. Your doctor may choose a single type of medication or some combination of these drugs.