Statins and other drugs to lower cholesterol
The results of biochemical analysis, showing the level of cholesterol in the blood, allow the specialist to prescribe the appropriate drugs. Statins are often recommended to prevent heart problems in this case.
Usually, the attending physician, prescribing such funds, immediately warns the patient that they should be taken without long interruptions. In addition, like other drugs, statins have various side effects on the body. The patient should find out this point at the appointment with his doctor. After all, the main task with high cholesterol is to lower its level. The result is achieved with the help of drug therapy. However, in all cases, should you start taking medications? Will the required effect be obtained with their help?
Drugs that are part of the fibrates or statins group lower cholesterol. You can enhance their effect by simultaneously taking lipoic acid and omega-3 fatty acids. This article is devoted to pharmacological drugs that lower cholesterol, the peculiarities of their use and side effects.
All information is of a recommendation nature and cannot be used to make a decision regarding the use of statins or other drugs. Only a doctor can determine whether the use of specific drugs is appropriate. After all, the general clinical picture, individual for each patient, and the presence of concomitant diseases are of great importance. To be sure of the correctness of the treatment, you need to consult with several specialists and undergo additional examination.
Content:
Lowering cholesterol with statins
- When are statins essential?
- How to choose statins?
- Why are statins dangerous?
- Another negative factor from taking statins
Fibrates Help Lower Cholesterol
Decreased intestinal absorption of cholesterol
- Normalizing Cholesterol Levels with Natural Medicines
Lowering cholesterol with statins
The pharmacological group of statins includes drugs, the main purpose of which is to reduce the release of special enzymes involved in the synthesis of cholesterol.
In the description of these drugs and tablets, the following properties are given:
- Acting as an inhibitor in relation to HMG-CoA reductase, thus lowering cholesterol, reducing its production;
- They work even in the presence of concomitant chronic drugs. For example, homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia will not interfere with the effectiveness of statins;
- Have a positive effect on the heart muscle, reducing the likelihood of a heart attack and angina pectoris;
- After taking drugs, HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A increase in the blood;
- Unlike many other drugs, statins are not mutagenic or carcinogenic.
Drugs are not always useful for the body. Statins can cause the following side effects:
- Insomnia, headache, nausea, diarrhea, myalgia;
- Amnesia, malaise, hypesthesia, neuropathy, paresthesia;
- Discomfort in the muscles of the back, legs, myopathy, cramps;
- Vomiting, anorexia, cholestatic jaundice;
- Allergic reaction, manifested by skin rash and itching, urticaria, anaphylaxis, exudative erythema;
- A drop in blood sugar, which contributes to the development of diabetes and hypoglycemia;
- Gaining excess weight;
- Development of impotence.
When are statins essential?
Most statin descriptions contain information about the benefits of drugs. Reducing the risk of heart disease, normalizing cholesterol levels, preventing heart attacks - all these effects are provided by the funds of this pharmacological group, according to advertising campaigns. However, is this really the case? After all, the cost of such drugs is high, so isn't information about the benefits of statins an attempt to attract consumers? Are they really good for your health?
Despite the results of studies proving the absence of a harmful effect of drugs on the human body, few experts can confidently recommend statins to take. This is especially true for elderly patients. On the one hand, experiments have shown that statin drug therapy helps in lowering cholesterol. They also protect against a number of serious diseases. But many experts hold a different opinion, believing that the positive effect of statins is associated with a high risk. The likelihood of side effects is too high, which is very dangerous for elderly patients.
In accordance with Russian standards of treatment, statins can be used for heart disease. taking drugs has reduced the number of deaths. However, statistics do not indicate that they will suit every patient. Statins should be used with caution by older people and remember that high cholesterol is not a reason for taking them.
At the same time, drugs in this group are prescribed without fail in the following cases:
- When secondary prophylaxis is performed in patients with heart attack or stroke;
- With ischemic disease with the threat of developing various complications;
- With coronary syndrome or heart attack;
- Coronary artery bypass grafting also involves taking statins.
These drugs are mandatory for cardiac pathologies, as they can prolong the life of patients. The constant monitoring of a specialist will help to avoid the occurrence of a negative effect on the body. A biochemical blood test should be done regularly and if the amount of transaminases exceeds the norm, stop taking statins. More serious complications are also possible, for example, the development of rhabdomyolysis. However, it is rare.
The use of statins is not recommended in the presence of diabetes mellitus, as well as in women under menopause. There is no need to take medications if there is an opportunity to find alternative medicines to avoid side effects.
Russian pharmacies offer to use the following statins, which have different activity:
- Rosuvastatin: Acorta, Crestor, Mertenil, Rosuvastatin, Rosucard, Rosulip, Roxera, Tevastor
- Lovastatin: Cardiostatin, Holetar, Cardiostatin
- Atorvastatin: Atomax, Atorvastatin Canon, Atoris, Liprimar, Torvacard, Tulip, Liptonorm
- Fluvastatin: Lescol Forte
- Simvastatin: Vasilip, Zokor, Ovenkor, Simvagexal, Simvacard, Simvastatin, Simvastol, Simvor, Simgal, Simlo, Syncard
The drugs come in various forms, and their cost also varies.
How to choose statins?
The patient must decide for himself whether to take statins. In this case, you should first consult with a qualified specialist, who, if necessary, will prescribe a specific drug. It is not recommended to take any action without the help of a doctor. If a biochemical blood test shows any abnormalities, you need to visit a therapist and endocrinologist. Indeed, when choosing statins, the doctor focuses on the sex, age and even weight of the patient, takes into account whether he has bad habits and chronic diseases.
During treatment, it is necessary to adhere to the dosage established by a specialist, regularly taking tests. If an imported drug recommended by a doctor is not available due to the high cost, which is typical for most statins, you can always find an available domestic analogue. Although this may affect the effectiveness of the product.
Elderly patients should be careful with the use of statins for gout and diabetes. Myopathy often develops when drugs are combined with them for these diseases.
It is important to keep in mind that in chronic liver pathologies, it is safe to take low doses of rosuvastatin, which can be replaced with pravastatin. Do not combine drugs with alcohol or antibiotics. Another significant advantage of pravastatin is its low toxicity, which is why it is indicated for patients with muscle pain. The possibility of combining statins and nicotinic acid also remains a controversial issue. It is believed that this can exacerbate chronic diseases.
Why are statins dangerous?
In Russia, drugs were actively prescribed after American doctors. Ischemic disease, arterial hypertension - all these diseases were treated with statins. At the same time, large dosages were used. However, in the United States, a study was soon conducted that proved the link between honey in the development of many diseases and the use of statins. In 2013, the British Medical Journal reported their adverse health effects on patients. But in Russia there were no independent studies, and experts continue to actively use drugs in this group.
In Canada, it was found that elderly patients taking them often experienced rapid visual impairment and the development of cataracts. The risk increases significantly in the presence of diabetes mellitus.
It was experimentally found that the greatest effectiveness of statins without side effects is achieved in patients who have not suffered a stroke or heart attack. In all other cases, the funds not only do not prevent heart disease, but also provoke depression, problems in the work of internal organs, including the kidneys.
Some facts raise doubts about the benefits of statins:
- The drugs can affect cholesterol so that it is below normal, which is more dangerous than exceeding it. It can cause malignant tumors, liver disease, anemia, stroke, suicide and depression.
- Statins interfere with the recovery function of cholesterol. Thanks to cholesterol, damage in the body is repaired. This is due to the fact that it is one of the most important components in the composition of scar tissue. Also, bad cholesterol is important for the development of muscle mass and the whole body. Its deficiency causes muscle pain and degeneration.
- A lack of magnesium, not an excess of cholesterol, leads to strokes and heart attacks. This hypothesis casts doubt on the need for statin use.
- Together with a decrease in cholesterol levels, the synthesis of many other important substances in the body is reduced. This applies to a compound such as coated. It is involved in many biological operations, including the formation of cholesterol.
- The action of statins provokes diabetes mellitus, which in turn negatively affects the production of cholesterol and contributes to the occurrence of other diseases. This reason, according to researchers in Germany, causes angina pectoris and arrhythmia, stroke. This is due to a decrease in the concentration of the protein responsible for blood sugar levels. According to the research results, women in menopause are at risk.
- There are problems in the work of the brain due to taking drugs. First of all, statins affect cholesterol metabolism, which affects the liver. At the same time, the drugs have a positive effect on the blood vessels. However, any effect of chemicals is detrimental to the body. As a result, irreversible changes occur in physiological processes, including the disruption of mental activity.
- The side effects of statins are often discovered too late.
The change in cholesterol content is recognized as an indicator that allows you to identify violations in the work of organs and their systems. Therefore, it is not always advisable to lower it.
Some scientists, considering high cholesterol as confirmation of the presence of serious diseases, highlight stress and other inflammations as the causes of cardiac pathologies. A number of countries have long promoted healthy lifestyles to prevent heart problems. Thanks to this, the number of patients with such pathologies has decreased, which has proven that the normalization of cholesterol can be achieved by giving up bad habits and choosing sports and proper nutrition. So, a healthy lifestyle allows you to avoid taking various medications that have a large number of side effects, and to avoid the development of dangerous pathologies.
Another negative factor from taking statins
According to one experiment in 3070 people aged 60 and over, statin use provokes muscle pain in 30% of people, which limits their physical activity. As a result of the increase in muscle pain, patients give up sports and walk less. All of these factors lead to weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease.
Read more: How to lower cholesterol at home without medication?
Fibrates Help Lower Cholesterol
Fibric acid derivatives known as fibrates are often used as an alternative to statins. They act directly on the liver to reduce the secretion of cholesterol. Fibrates also affect the amount of lipids, reduce the formation of extravascular deposits. After taking these drugs, both good and bad cholesterol levels are normalized.
Along with the positive effects, fibrates also have a negative effect, manifested in the form of:
- Hepatitis, pancreatitis, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, pain in the digestive system;
- Venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism;
- Muscle weakness and spasms, diffuse myalgia;
- Headaches, sexual dysfunction;
- Photosensitivity and allergic reactions.
Complex treatment is often used, involving a combination of fibrates and statins. Thus, it is possible to reduce the dosage of the latter.
Fibrates are represented by three generations:
- Clofibrate is an outdated fibrate of the 1st generation, now it is no longer used, since it has been proven that it contributes to the emergence of oncology;
- Gemfibrozil, bezafibrate - structurally very similar to clorifibrate, but less toxic. It is also considered obsolete, now it is rarely used;
- Fenofibrate, ciprofibrate - belongs to the 3rd generation of fibrates, is now the most popular. In addition to lowering cholesterol, it lowers uric acid levels and also reduces the likelihood of developing complications of diabetes. It is sold under the trade names Traikor (France), Lipantil 200 M (France), Fenofibrat Canon (Russia), Exlip (Turkey).
Decreased intestinal absorption of cholesterol
Ezetemib is used for this purpose. It is qualitatively different from its counterparts, actively used earlier, as it does not lead to diarrhea. The dosage should be checked with your doctor.
Most of the daily requirement for cholesterol is met by the body, the remainder is replenished through food.
Find out more: List of foods that raise and lower blood cholesterol
Normalizing Cholesterol Levels with Natural Medicines
Many doctors recommend, instead of statins and fibrates, to lower cholesterol levels by the following means:
- Omega-3 fatty acids. They are found in large quantities in fish oil and flaxseed oil, they serve as a prophylactic agent against stroke, nervous disorders, arthritis. At the same time, the dosage of fish oil should not be violated, since exceeding it can cause pancreatitis.
- Pumpkin breaker. This natural remedy is pumpkin seed oil. It is used for the prevention of cerebral atherosclerosis, hepatitis, cholecystitis, has anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, choleretic and antioxidant effects.
- Lipoic acid. It prevents coronary atherosclerosis by affecting liver glycogen levels. Lipoic acid can improve the trophism of neurons.
- Vitamin therapy. The best source of substances necessary for the body will be natural products rich in nicotinic and folic acid, vitamins B3, B6, B12.
- Dietary supplements. Of these, it is worth using SitoPren - fir paw extract. It contains beta-sitosterol, as well as polyprenols, which are useful in atherosclerosis and diabetes.
However, dietary supplements may not be effective enough. With the help of statins, it is possible to achieve a greater effect in lowering cholesterol.
The author of the article: Kuzmina Vera Valerievna | Endocrinologist, nutritionist
Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after NI Pirogov with a degree in General Medicine (2004). Residency at Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, diploma in Endocrinology (2006).
