Anti-Cholesterol Drugs
Anti-cholesterol drugs are prescribed for people whose blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels indicate that they are at risk of heart disease.
Proper nutrition, exercise and weight loss are important in controlling cholesterol levels. Because of potential side effects, only when these natural remedies fail to bring the levels down should cholesterol-lowering drugs be used.
Also, doctors will usually prescribe them if you are at high risk of heart disease and your LDL reading is 130 or more, at low risk of heart disease and a reading of 160 or more, or at little to no risk of heart disease and a reading of 190.
Even with these prescription medications, patients still need to stick to a diet and exercise program to obtain these drugs' full benefits. These medications are meant to "supplement" and not "replace" these natural remedies.
Lipitor (Atorvastatin)
Lipitor helps clear low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the "bad cholesterol") out of the blood and limit the formation of new LDLs. Atorvastatin, a synthetic compound on which Lipitor is based, inhibits an enzyme used in cholesterol synthesis. This has the effect of lowering the amount of cholesterol produced, including the total amount of LDL cholesterol.
Side Effects of Lipitor
If any of these side effects develop, or change or increase in intensity, you should notify your doctor immediately:
* abdominal pain
* abnormal heartbeat
* accidental injury
* acne
* allergic reaction
* amnesia
* back pain
* black stools
* bleeding
* breast enlargement
* changes in eyesight
* changes in taste sensation
* chest pain
* constipation
* decreased sex drive
* depression
* diarrhea
* difficulty swallowing
* distorted facial muscles
* dizziness
* dry eyes
* fatigue
* fever
* flu symptoms
* fluid retention
* gas
* hair loss
* headache
* hearing difficulties
* heartburn
* increased muscle movement
* increased sensations
* indigestion
* inflammation of sinus and nasal passages
* insomnia
* itching
* joint pain
* lack of coordination
* leg cramps
* muscle aching or weakness
* purple or red spots on the skin
* rash
* respiratory problems
* ringing in the ears
* sensitivity to light
* skin irritations
* sore throat
* strange dreams
* sweating
* tingling of extremities
* unstable emotions
* urinary problems
* vomiting
* weakness
* weight gain
* weight loss
When Not To Use Lipitor
Lipitor should not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, if you have liver disease, or if you have an allergic reaction to the drug.
Special Warnings
There are two special warnings about Lipitor.
The first is the chance of liver damage. Doctors may order a blood test before using the drug to check liver function. Additional tests are also suggested 12 weeks from the start of therapy, and then every six months thereafter.
The second is damage to muscle tissues. You should immediately inform your doctor if you notice any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness --- especially if you feel sick or develop a fever. You may be asked to have a blood test to check for muscle tissue damage.
Food and Drug Interactions
If you are taking Lipitor and other drugs at the same time, the effects of Lipitor or these other drugs may be altered, decreased or increased. Before taking Lipitor, you should check with your doctor if you are using any of the following:
* Antacids
* Colestipol (Colestid)
* Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
* Digoxin (Lanoxin)
* Erythromycin (E.E.S., Erythrocin, etc…others)
* Fluconazole (Diflucan)
* Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
* Itraconazole (Sporanox)
* Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
* Niacin (Niaspan, Niacor, Slo-Niacin)
* Oral contraceptives
* If You Are Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
Lipitor should never be used during pregnancy or if there is even a chance of pregnancy. If you conceive while taking it, you should inform your doctor immediately. Lipitor also makes its way into breast milk, so you should never take it while breastfeeding.
Zocor (Simvastatin)
Zocor is used to control elevated cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular disease. It is based on the compound Simvastatin, a lipid-lowering drug that can decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) without any real effect on HDL and triglyceride levels, and inhibits the progression of atherosclerosis.
Side Effects of Zocor
The more common side effects of Zocor are abdominal pain and headaches. Other less common side effects include:
* constipation
* diarrhea
* gas
* muscle weakness with rash
* nausea
* upper respiratory infection
* upset stomach
* weakness
Do not take Zocor if you have an allergic reaction to or are sensitive to it, if you have liver disease, or if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Special Warnings
Zocor may damage the liver, so doctors may order a blood test to check liver enzyme levels before patients start taking it and periodically for a year after final dosage increase.
Zocor may also cause muscle-tissue damage, so patients should notify their doctor immediately for any unexplained muscle tenderness, weakness, or pain, or if they feel sick or have a fever.
Food and Drug Interactions
Zocor tends to enhance the effects of Coumadin (a blood-thinning drug) and Lanoxin (a heart medication).
Taking Zocor with the following drugs may increase the chance of muscle tissue damage:
* Amiodarone (Cordarone)
* Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
* Clofibrate (Atromid-S)
* Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
* Erythromycin (PCE and others)
* Fenofibrate (Tricor)
* Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
* Itraconazole (Sporanox)
* Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
* Nefazodone (Serzone)
* Nicotinic acid or niacin (Niaspan)
* Protease inhibitors (used in treating HIV) like Agenerase, Crixivan, Fortovase, Invirase, Norvir and Viracept
* Verapamil (Calan)
If you are taking Zocor with one or more of these drugs or with large quantities of grapefruit juice, inform your doctor immediately at the first sign of muscle pain or weakness.
If You Are Pregnant, Will Become Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
You should not become pregnant while taking Zocor. Cholesterol is needed for normal fetal development. If you become pregnant while taking Zocor, inform your doctor immediately.
Also, studies done on other cholesterol-lowering drugs show that they may appear in breast milk and cause severe adverse effects in a nursing baby. Never take Zocor while breastfeeding your baby.