Cholesterol drugs: how effective they are

It's no secret that excessive cholesterol in the blood is harmful to health, especially for the cardiac and vascular systems. With an excess of this substance begins to be deposited over time on the walls of the vessels, with the formation of cholesterol plaques that impede the movement of blood, which contributes to the occurrence of cardiac pathologies and vascular abnormalities.

Types of cholesterol

It should be understood that cholesterol is necessary for the body, without it, human existence is impossible. This substance is a part of cell membranes, it is necessary for the work of the nervous system and other organs.

When talking about the excess content of the element, refers to the so-called bad cholesterol, which binds to the protein, forming a lipoprotein - a completely new compound. There are two types of lipoproteins: low and high density. So, the high content of low-density lipoprotein in the blood and is a threat to health.

At the initial stages of the disease it is recommended to adhere to a special diet and conduct classes that involve physical activity. But these measures are not enough, and you need to clean the vessels of cholesterol with medications.

Scientists have long been trying to create a drug that effectively reduces cholesterol. However, an ideal solution does not exist yet, and each group of medicines that contribute to the reduction of cholesterol has both advantages and disadvantages.

The use of statins

To date, statins are the best cure for cholesterol. They are recommended to be taken firstly at an elevated level of the substance. Most often, doctors prescribe to take the following groups of drugs:

• Simvastatin ("Zokor", "Vazilip");
• Atorvastatin (Tulip, Torvakard, Liprimar, Atoris, Liptonorm);
• Rosuvastatin ("Rosukard", "Akorta", "Krestor", "Roksera").

In rare cases, statins are used that relate to the first generation of a drug for elevated cholesterol. This group includes: fluvastatin (Leskol), lovastatin (Mevakor, Choletar), pravastatin. Each category of drugs has its effectiveness and severity of lipid-lowering action. The most powerful statins to date are rosuvastatin and atorvastatin. The maximum allowable daily dosage of the first group is 40 mg, the second - 80 mg.

Taking medicine for cholesterol is necessary once a day in the afternoon. This is due to their mechanism of action. Statins block the hepatic enzyme, which stimulates the formation of cholesterol. And since the maximum reproduction of cholesterol is observed at night, then statins should be taken before bedtime. This rule is especially applicable to the medicines of the first two generations (simvastatinam, lovastatinam and pravastatinam). Modern rosuvastatin and atorvastatin are removed from the body longer, so the time of their application does not matter.

There is a stereotype that the drugs for cholesterol in the blood are harmful to the liver. However, this judgment is not true. With some ailments of the liver, statins help improve the condition of the organ (eg, treatment of fatty hepatosis). But with serious hepatic pathologies, it is forbidden to take statins, since a high concentration of elements in the blood can lead to the development of dangerous negative effects: renal insufficiency and rhabdomyolysis. Thus, it must be remembered that statins are serious medications that cause (rarely) adverse reactions, their use is possible only for medical purposes after a detailed medical examination.

Advantages of statins

The drugs not only reduce cholesterol, but also reduce the likelihood of developing cardiac and vascular complications. They have a high degree of safety with prolonged use. The effect of taking statins comes two weeks after the start of use.

disadvantages

The presence of negative reactions of the body (in rare cases): pain in the muscles, abdomen, nausea. During treatment once every six months, it is required to take liver tests. When taking high doses, there may be side effects that are life-threatening.

Use of fibrates

These medicines are derivatives of fibroic acid. The group of drugs for cholesterol includes fenofibrates, ciprofibrates, bezafibrates, gemfibrozyls and clofibrates. The most effective drug is "Traykor", belonging to the category of fenofibrates.

Fibrates are inferior to statins in terms of the effect on the level of low density of lipoproteins and total cholesterol, but lipoproteins and triglycerides are superior in their effect on high density. Due to the use of fibrates at the gene level, there is a change in the transport of cholesterol. These drugs for cholesterol are second line medications used after statins for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Drugs are recommended to use at a high level of triglycerides, isolated hypoalpha cholesterolemia.

Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors

Today in Russia only one preparation of the group of ezetimibes is used. The name of the medicine for cholesterol is Ezetrol. Appoint also a medication "Inegy", which combines a combination of simvastatin with ezetimibe. The mechanism of action of these drugs is the violation of absorption of cholesterol from the intestinal system, which allows you to reduce the level of matter in the blood.

To the virtues of ezetimibes is the high safety of medications, since the medicine does not penetrate into the blood. They can be taken to people with hepatic pathologies, as well as patients who, for various reasons, are not allowed to use statins. This medicine for cholesterol (reviews say this) can be used together with statins, which makes it possible to strengthen the therapeutic effect.

The disadvantages of ezetimibes are lower efficacy compared to statins, as well as high cost.

Bile acid sequestrants

Cholesterol promotes the reproduction of bile acids, which are necessary for the body for digestion. The use of sequestrants facilitates the binding of bile acids, their transformation into insoluble compounds and excretion. The organism, sensing a lack of bile acids, begins to reproduce them intensively from cholesterol, the content of which decreases. Actually in medical practice, these drugs for cholesterol are used very rarely. A total of two drugs included in the group of bile acid sequestrants - "Kolestipol" and "Cholestyramine". However, they are not being realized on the territory of Russia.

The advantage of these drugs is their local effect, they are not absorbed into the blood. The disadvantages include unpleasant taste, duration of intake, impaired absorption of fats and vitamins. Medication can cause increased bleeding.

The drug "Niacin"

Vitamin PP or nicotinic acid is well known to many. Medication "Niacin" - a remedy for cholesterol - doctors recommend to take recommendations in high doses (daily volume up to 4 grams). The drop in cholesterol levels occurs after just a couple of days of using nicotinic acid. The hypolipidemic effect of the drug "Niacin" is not fully understood. The researchers suggest that the vitamin PP inhibits the release of fatty acids, which helps reduce bad cholesterol.

The advantage of the medication is a quick result, the possibility of simultaneous use of satin. The drug improves microcirculation, has a vasodilating effect. The disadvantage of the drug is the use of large doses to obtain a hypolipidemic effect, the presence of side effects in the form of redness of the face.

The use of omega-3 fatty polyunsaturated acids

This group is widely represented by various active biological additives and medicines. The most famous are fish oil and Omakor. The principle of action is to reduce the reproduction in the liver of triglycerides and increase the number of receptors involved in the oxidation of fatty acids. As a result, the volume of low density of lipoproteins decreases. Advantages of the drugs are high safety, antiarrhythmic comorbidity.

Low efficiency, use only as a supplement to conventional treatment (fibrates and statins) is a drawback of these medications.