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 Despite improving exercise and diet some people may need medication to lower their cholesterol levels. This is usually due to the fact that their bodies can't extract cholesterol from the blood, rather than lifestyle factors. There are drugs available to lower blood cholesterol effectively. Always follow the advise of your doctor about which medication is best for you.
There are four different classes of cholesterol lowering drugs:
Statins also known as "HMG-CoA inhibitors," are drugs that block an enzyme called "3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase." This blocks one of the steps in converting fat to cholesterol. These are the most effective cholesterol lowering agents available. Drugs in this group include: atorvastatin (Lipitor); cerivastatin (Baycol); fluvastatin (Lescol); lovastatin (Mevacor); pravastatin (Pravachol); and simvastatin (Zocor). However Statin drugs have been shown to also cause nerve damage and to greatly impair memory. One reason that statin drugs have these various serious side effects is that they work by inhibiting a vital enzyme that manufactures cholesterol in the liver. However, the same enzyme is used to manufacture coenzyme Q10, which is a biochemical needed to transfer energy from food to our cells to be used for the work of staying alive and healthy. Statin drugs are known to inhibit production of coenzyme Q10. Bile acid sequesterants are drugs that act by binding with the bile produced by the liver. Bile helps the digestion and absorption of fats in the intestine. By blocking the digestion of fats, bile acid sequesterants prevent the formation of cholesterol. Drugs in this class include: cholestyramine (Questran); colestipol (Colestid); and colesevalam (Welchol). Fibric acid derivatives include clofibrate (Atromid-S); gemfibrozil (Lopid); and fenofibrate (Tricor). Although these drugs are less effective than the statins at lowering total cholesterol, they may be able to lower the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol while raising the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Their exact mechanism of action is believed to be associated with inhibition of lipoprotein lipase activity. Niacin, vitamin B-3, is also effective in lowering cholesterol levels. Although the normal vitamin dose of niacin is only 20 mg, the dose required to reduce cholesterol levels is at least 500 mg each day. The mechanism of action of niacin in cholesterol reduction is associated with the inhibition of VLDL secretion in the blood-stream.
New Cholesterol Drugs In The Making
Ropren is a new drug that was approved for sale in Russia for chronic liver disease. However during a recent Australian trial it was shown that Ropren also normalized cholesterol levels without any noted side effects. Its thought that Ropren would cost a lot more than the standard statins treatment. However it may become the preferred treatment option for those with money to spare due to the fact that it has zero nasty side effects. From the February 2007 Solagran newsletter
"Perhaps the most interesting development from the Swinburne trials is the evidence suggesting that Ropren can normalise cholesterol levels, increasing high density lipoprotein levels while at the same time, reducing low density lipoprotein levels. This potential was also evident in trials conducted in Russia. The off label demand for this application is potentially huge, particularly given Ropren's lack of side effects, which stands in stark contrast to existing cholesterol lowering drugs that all cause liver damage."
July 2007 - Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc along with other institutions, has found that individuals with a mutated ANGPTL4 gene have significantly lower triglyceride levels and higher levels of HDL cholesterol or "good" cholesterol. These results from human genetic studies further support Lexicon's therapeutic strategy based on original observations made using animal models.
Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc reported that the preclinical research results indicate that antibodies directed to a potential new target, angiopoietin-like protein 4 or ANGPTL4, rapidly lower triglycerides and cholesterol. The company said research showed that a monoclonal antibody or mAb targeting ANGPTL4 may have therapeutic application in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Lexicon first identified ANGPTL4 as a potential target for cardiovascular disease using its proprietary gene knockout technology. The company tested this with animal models and yielded good results.
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