Side Effects Of Cholesterol Medicine

Any prescription medication can have side effects. Most of these are not pleasant. The reasoning of why we put up with these side effects is that it is better to deal with them than the condition which the medication treats – in this case, elevated cholesterol levels. Such drugs work to lower cholesterol which, in turn, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

There are two popular classes of drugs used to treat high cholesterol. They are specifically aimed at lowering LDL cholesterol. One is the group known as statins and the others are bile acid sequestrants.The most well known of the latter group is Niacin (nicotinic acid) which comes in both prescription form and as a dietary supplement. Popular statin brands are Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, and Pravachol. Both classes of cholesterol medicine can have troublesome side effects. Higher doses of statins may be associated with a greater risk of side effects such that side effects tend to be dose-related and may disappear after reducing the dosage or, if necessary, withdrawing the medication. However, even if side effects are experienced, cholesterol medication should not normally be discontinued without consulting a physician. But speak to your doctor immediately. Do not wait for your next visit.

Side Effects Of Cholesetrol Lowering Drugs include:

Constipation

Nausea

Loss of appetite

Pain in the upper right part of the stomach

Fever

Flu-like symptoms

Hoarseness

Extreme tiredness

Lack of energy

Rash, hives or itching

Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness

Yellowing of the skin or eyes

Unusual bleeding or bruising

Difficulty breathing or swallowing

Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs

Lowering Cholesterol Medication Should Not Be Taken In Isolation

In addition to taking a cholesterol-lowering medication, making certain changes in your daily lifestyle can also lower your cholesterol blood levels. Eating a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol with little to no grains and sugars and exercising for 30 minutes on most, if not all days, will make a big difference. As will losing weight if you are overweight. Eliminating sugar and grains will inevitably cause beneficial side effects, such as normalizing your weight, increasing your energy and lowering your blood pressure and triglycerides. Lifestyle changes will work in the majority of cases of high cholesterol so why not try those first and give yourself the chance to avoid the cholesterol medicine side effects. Your physician will be able to advise you on this.