What drugs lower cholesterol. The best effect has drugs isolated from natural ingredients. Side effects of fenofibrates

Everyone knows that high cholesterol levels in the blood can lead to serious problems. It is deposited in the vessels in the form of plaques, which increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke. But without this substance, the work of the body is impossible. Cholesterol is involved in metabolism, the synthesis of hormones, so it is important to maintain a balance in the body and carefully monitor its level. It is not necessary to drink handfuls of pills for this. To quickly reduce cholesterol without drugs, lifestyle and nutrition correction helps.

Cholesterol: harm or necessity

Cholesterol is one of the important components of the human body. Moreover, its excess is not only harmful, but also dangerous. As a result of hyperlipidemia (high fat content in the blood), plaques form, which eventually clog blood vessels and lead to the following consequences:

stroke;
pulmonary embolism:
heart attack;
obliterating endarteritis;
coronary death.

But we must not forget that lipids are part of the membranes, provide contacts between cells and strengthen them, facilitate the transmission of nerve impulses. They play an important role in thermoregulation, act as a source of energy. Cholesterol supports the functioning of the nervous system and muscles, and is involved in metabolism. A decrease in its level occurs in such diseases:

anemia;
adrenal insufficiency;
thyrotoxicosis (increased work of the thyroid gland);
malnutrition;
liver diseases - hepatitis, cirrhosis.

Lack of cholesterol is fraught with psycho-emotional disorders, depression, osteoporosis, hemorrhagic stroke due to increased vascular permeability.

To overdo it with a decrease in lipids is no less dangerous than to allow them to increase. Regular diagnostics help to maintain the necessary balance. Doctors recommend checking cholesterol levels 1-2 times a year. For patients at risk, tests are prescribed more often - 2-4 times a year. These are people over 60 years of age, as well as those suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system and hypertension, hepatitis, hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis, with a history of myocardial infarction and stroke.

Attention! Correction of hypercholesterolemia should be prescribed only by the attending physician, taking into account all the characteristics of the patient and concomitant diseases!

Ways to reduce without pills

With an increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood, it is not at all necessary to immediately take medications. At the initial stage, the problem can be solved using a few simple methods.

The first thing to do is increase physical activity. Running or other sports with monotonous rhythmic movements are especially effective. This normalizes the pulse, increases the flow of oxygen into the circulatory system, which contributes to the "burning" of fat. Reduces the risk of plaque formation.

Moderate exercise is recommended for older people - daily walks, cycling, simple work in the garden. According to studies, this lifestyle in old age reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke by 50%.

Attention! During exercise, control the pulse! In an elderly person, its growth should not exceed 15 strokes.
But exercise alone is not enough. The following recommendations must be followed:

Quit smoking. Under the influence of tobacco, the ratio of "good" and "bad" cholesterol changes for the worse.
Limit alcohol consumption. According to medical research, it does not directly affect the level of cholesterol in the blood, but worsens the metabolism in the body.
Follow a special diet low in animal fats.
Do not neglect the means of traditional medicine. She offers a large number of recipes based on natural ingredients.
Control weight. Overweight people are more likely to face the problem of cholesterol imbalance.

The approach to lowering cholesterol levels must be comprehensive and ongoing. You can not get involved in short-term diets or periodic gymnastics. You need to change your lifestyle completely, this will help to avoid many health problems.

Food

You can also lower your cholesterol levels at home. Physical activity and weight loss will help in this. To lose weight, you need to completely change your eating habits.

When adjusting the diet, you must adhere to the following principles:

replace animal fats (lard, cheeses, butter and others) with vegetable ones;
minimize the consumption of easily digestible carbohydrates (sugar, cakes, sweets, cakes);
Instead of regular baked goods, eat bread and biscuits based on oats and wholemeal bran or whole grains;
eat more fish, seafood, fruits and vegetables.

This approach to nutrition will not only quickly reduce cholesterol levels, but also improve the entire body.

Attention! Patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus or metabolic pathology should not count on home methods only! Any treatment option should be supervised by a doctor.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine offers many recipes for lowering lipid levels. Their use helps to improve overall health, strengthen blood vessels, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications.

Here are the most popular recipes:

Mix half a glass of dill seeds with a glass of honey and a spoonful of valerian root, pour 1 liter of hot water. Insist for a day. Take three times a day for 1 tbsp. l. 20 minutes before a meal.
Squeeze 10 cloves of garlic, mix with two glasses of olive oil. Insist a week. Add the resulting mixture to food instead of seasoning.
Squeeze juice from 1 kg of lemons, add 200 g of crushed garlic. Keep in a cold place in the dark for three days, drink 1 tbsp. l. per day, previously diluted with water.
Soak beans or peas in water overnight. In the morning, replace the water, add a pinch of soda, boil and eat in two doses. The duration of the course is 21 days.
Drink half an hour before meals 7 drops of 4% propolis tincture, diluted with water. It is recommended to continue treatment for four months.
Eat 20-25 alfalfa sprouts daily.
Add flaxseeds to your food.
Add 300 g of garlic to 200 g of alcohol and insist in the dark for seven days. Drinking this tincture is recommended three times a day. With each dose, you need to increase the number of drops from 2 to 20, and then decrease in the reverse order. The course of treatment is designed for a week, repeated every three years.

Attention! Before using any folk remedies, make sure that you are not allergic to the components!

What Foods Lower Blood Cholesterol

With hyperlipidemia, eating cholesterol-lowering foods will help. Nature has given us many plants whose enzymes restore the balance of fats in the body. Let's figure out which foods lower cholesterol:

Avocado. Its use quickly normalizes metabolism.
Fatty fish varieties are the leader in the presence of fatty acids in the composition. Enough 200 g of marine fish per week to prevent blood clots and thin the blood.
Nuts and seeds of various plants - they increase the content of "good" lipids. The most useful are walnuts, pine nuts and Brazil nuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios, flax and sesame seeds.
From vegetable oils, olive, soybean and linseed are effective. Only add oils to cooked food, and do not fry on them.
Fruits and berries are blue, purple and red. Their color is provided by polyphenols, which normalize blood balance, stimulate the liver, and help cleanse blood vessels.
Whole grains and oatmeal.
Citrus. They contain unique fibers that, when combined with gastric juice, “absorb” cholesterol and remove it from the body, help in the fight against various diseases.
All legumes contribute to the elimination of "bad" lipids through the stomach, due to their high fiber content. They are also rich in vegetable protein, which is easily digestible.
Carrot.
Garlic contains many statins, phytoncides and is considered a natural antibiotic. It is useful for hypercholesterolemia, but is not recommended for people with pathologies of the digestive tract.

It is advisable to add red rice, white cabbage and a lot of fresh herbs to the diet. All these natural "medicines" will help to quickly and without harm to the body to normalize the lipid balance. The positive effect will enhance the addition of decoctions of medicinal herbs to the diet.

Herbs

For mild hypercholesterolemia, pharmaceuticals can be replaced with herbs. In the fight against "bad" cholesterol, decoctions and tinctures from such plants are used:

"Dioscorea Caucasian". It strengthens blood vessels, improves heart function, and is used as a choleretic agent.
"Golden mustache". This is a houseplant with many useful properties. They treat diseases of the endocrine system, atherosclerosis, prostatitis.
Liquorice root. It is taken for three weeks, after which they take a month break.
Alfalfa. This plant eliminates hypercholesterolemia. Juice is made from its leaves and drunk for a month, 2 tablespoons three times a day.

You can also use general strengthening decoctions of hawthorn, linden, dandelion, jaundice, milk thistle, plantain, thistle and other herbs. There are a lot of them and here are the most common in use.

A few simple tips to help you quickly and safely lower your lipid levels to normal:

replace coffee with green tea;
do not snack on sandwiches with butter;
enter soy products and sea fish into the diet;
Eat pork fat, but in small quantities and, preferably, with garlic. It will quickly remove excess fat from the body;
Try to replace saturated fats with vegetable oils.

Another useful recommendation is juice therapy. Freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices effectively rid the body of "bad" lipids. With their help, the vessels at home are cleaned the fastest. You can drink juices in courses for five days, alternating squeezed from different vegetables and fruits. But before use, they must be diluted with water.

Summing up, it is worth emphasizing the danger of formation of cholesterol plaques in the vessels. This can be the initial stage of life-threatening illnesses. Simple actions will help to avoid negative consequences: proper nutrition, exercise, quitting smoking and alcohol. In addition, pay attention to the body and do a blood test every six months. The normal level of "bad" cholesterol is from 4 to 5.2 mmol / l. If these figures are higher, consult a doctor as soon as possible, who will help you choose adequate treatment and preventive measures.

The fight against cholesterol is a noble, useful and complex matter. You can't turn down any help. A prerequisite is the use of funds that understand the level of cholesterol. In addition to traditional medicines, numerous modern ones have been developed. The effectiveness and nature of the action of drugs vary. You will have to understand the possibilities of the products offered.

Requirements for drugs from cholesterol

The requirements for taking the drug are similar for all drugs. A cholesterol-lowering product must be highly effective and safe, affordable, and easy to use. If the listed qualities are present in the remedy, there are reasons to call it interesting and suitable for a person. Knowing what requirements are imposed on drugs against cholesterol, it will be possible to compare the main options offered by the market and make an impromptu TOP. How will the places be distributed if you take at least 5 products?

Place 5. Regular nicotinic acid

A simple vitamin PP, sold in every pharmacy, successfully fights cholesterol. A noticeable effect occurs after a week of use. The principle of operation of the tool is not completely clear even today. But other serious shortcomings have been found in the "nicotine" that do not allow it to rise high:

vitamin PP must be injected into the muscle or administered intravenously;
the dosage must be large, otherwise the result will not appear;
often there are side effects, such as redness;
for the full treatment of high cholesterol is not suitable.

In general, nicotinic acid is an emergency remedy. It cannot be taken for a long time, but the drug is recommended to quickly reduce the number of cholesterol plaques.

Place 4. Doppelgerz Omega-3 (fish oil)

Doctors did not know about the effect of fish oil on cholesterol for a long time. At first it was believed that fatty acids provoke an increase in its level. But with a reasonable use of fish oil, cholesterol is reduced. It is the remedy for Doppelhertz that is indicated here, since at the moment it is one of the available and easy to take (and does not smell like fish).

There are many restrictions on the use of fish oil. It does not eliminate cholesterol instantly, long-term use is required. A stable effect is not always obtained. And a large list of contraindications (pancreatitis is the main one) does not allow many to use the remedy and forces them to look for another medicine.

Place 3. Ezetrol - cholesterol absorption blocker

Probably, very few people have heard about the drug. It is not surprising, since it has no analogues in our country, and it is difficult to purchase an original product. Ezetrol is a drug that prevents cholesterol from being absorbed. It does not block the absorption process, but slows down and makes it difficult. There is a rapid decrease in cholesterol. He has much less contraindications. Of the shortcomings:

it has not been proven for certain that Ezetrol prolongs life;
for a long time, the effect of lowering cholesterol is not preserved and disappears after stopping the drug;
the drug is much more expensive than the others presented here.

Ezetrol is an effective drug and helps to get rid of cholesterol plaques in a relatively safe way, at least for a while. But the tools described below do the job better.

Place 2. Simvastatin and other latest generation statins

There is a large group of similar drugs called "statins". They work on the same principle - they block the enzymes that cause the formation of cholesterol. It is easy to take the funds - once a day. With long-term use, cholesterol levels steadily decrease. True, the courses must be constantly repeated.

Statins have a negative effect on the liver and worsen its work. With prolonged use, this is especially noticeable. Such disadvantages do not allow statins to rise to the first place. But what means took away the gold medal?

Place 1. Aterol - the best remedy for cholesterol

Novelty of the domestic market. It is not yet known to everyone, and it is much more difficult to purchase the drug than any previous one. Then why did the drug get in the first place? Suffice it to name the main advantages of Aterol:

acts in the intestines, where it prevents the absorption of cholesterol;
has a natural composition, which is why it is suitable for almost everyone;
side effects - an incredible rarity (at the level of error);
permanently eliminates cholesterol after two or three courses.

No drug described has such serious positive qualities. Aterol, according to studies, steadily lowers cholesterol levels for a month of use. After that, it is advisable to take another preventive course in order to forget about the problem for years (or forever). Definitely - Aterol is the best medicine against bad cholesterol. You can read more about the drug.

With insufficient effectiveness of a lipid-lowering diet, drugs can be prescribed that eliminate the violation of fat metabolism in the body. If the level of total cholesterol in the blood rises above 6.5 mmol / l, then the doctor may recommend special therapy to reduce it earlier.

The main classification of drugs

First of all, lipid-lowering agents should be noted. These include:

fibrates;
anion-exchange drugs and resins that reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine;
nicotinic acid;
probucol.

Based on the mechanism of action, these drugs can be divided into several subgroups:

drugs that prevent the production of low-density cholesterol (it is also commonly called bad): statins, fibrates, nicotinic acid, probucol, benzaflavin;
drugs that can slow down the absorption of cholesterol: guarem, bile acid sequestrants;
fat metabolism correctors that increase the level of high-density cholesterol: lipostabil, Essentiale.

Bile acid sequestrants

Drugs that bind bile acids are commonly referred to as anion exchange resins. Once these drugs enter the intestines, acids are captured and then excreted from the body.

The latter responds to this process by triggering the synthesis of new bile acids from available cholesterol reserves. Cholesterol is taken from the bloodstream, which helps to lower it.

The pharmaceutical industry offers the powdered drugs cholestyramine as well as colestipol to lower blood cholesterol. They can be consumed in 2-4 doses, with the obligatory preliminary dilution with water.

Anion exchange resins are not able to be absorbed into the blood and "work" only in the intestinal lumen. Due to this specificity, the drug is not able to have a significant negative effect on the body.

Side effects may include:

bloating;
nausea;
constipation.

If bile acid sequestrants have been used in large doses for a long time, then in this case, a violation of the absorption of some of the vitamins, as well as bile acid, may be noted.

The drugs of this group reduce the concentration of the so-called bad cholesterol, and the presence of triglycerides in the blood remains at the same level.

Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors

Due to the slow absorption of cholesterol from food, this group of drugs can reduce its concentration. Guar will be the most effective. This dietary supplement is completely safe and is derived from the seed of the hyacinth bean. The composition of the product includes a polysaccharide, which, in contact with the liquid, turns into jelly.

Guarem is able to mechanically remove cholesterol molecules from the intestinal walls. In addition, the drug:

accelerates the excretion of bile acids;
dulls appetite;
helps to reduce the amount of food eaten.

This absorption suppressant comes in the form of granules to be added to the drink. The use of the drug can be easily combined with other drugs.

During use, side effects are also possible, for example, liquefaction of the stool, pain in the intestines, nausea and bloating. These symptoms are minor and occur quite rarely. Even in the absence of therapy, they pass quickly, while there is a systematic decrease in blood cholesterol.

Nicotinic acid

Nicotinic acid and all its derivatives, for example:

acipimox,
niceritrol,
enduracin,

in essence, they are B vitamins. These drugs reduce the level of low-density cholesterol, and also activate the fibrinolysis system, which helps to further reduce the likelihood of thrombosis. Means better than other lipid-lowering drugs increase the content of good cholesterol in the patient's blood.

Therapy with nicotinic acid takes a long time with a mandatory increase in dosage. After taking the drugs and before that, you should not drink hot drinks, especially natural coffee.

Nicotinic acid is able to irritate the walls of the stomach, which excludes its use in ulcers and gastritis. In a large number of patients, facial redness may be observed at the very beginning of therapy, however, this symptom disappears over time. To prevent redness, it is necessary to drink 325 mg of aspirin half an hour before taking the drug.

The main contraindications to nicotinic acid include:

chronic hepatitis;
gout;
cardiac arrhythmias.

There is a drug that can cause a minimum number of side effects and lasts much longer - this is enduracin.

Probucol

Probucol does not affect triglycerides, but at the same time corrects the balance of good and bad cholesterol in the blood. Tablets inhibit fat peroxidation and exhibit a pronounced anti-atherosclerotic effect, affecting the reduction of cholesterol in the blood.

The result of treatment with Probucol can be obtained after 2 months and can last up to 6 months after stopping its use. The tool can be perfectly combined with other cholesterol-lowering drugs.

During therapy, prolongation of the heart rate interval and the development of cardiac arrhythmias may be noted. To prevent this condition, it is necessary to undergo an electrocardiogram at least once every 6 months.

Probucol cannot be administered simultaneously with cordarone.

Side effects on the body include pain in the abdominal cavity, nausea and diarrhea.

The drug should not be taken with:

ventricular arrhythmias;
frequent episodes of myocardial ischemia;
low HDL.

Fibrates

Fibrates can qualitatively cope with the level of triglycerides, as well as the concentration of LDL and VLDL. They can be applied under the condition of significant hypertriglyceridemia. The most popular are the following tablets:

gemfibrozil (Lopid, Gevilon);
fenofibrate (tipantil 200 M, tricor, exlip);
ciprofibrate (lipanor);
choline fenofibrate (trilipix).

The negative consequences of the use can include pain in the muscles, nausea and pain in the abdominal cavity. Fibrates can increase the occurrence of kidney stones and gallbladder. Quite rarely, oppression of hematopoiesis can be observed.

These medicines cannot be prescribed for diseases of the kidneys, gallbladder and blood problems.

Statins

Statins are the most effective cholesterol-lowering pills. They are able to block a special enzyme that responds to the production of a fat-like substance in the liver, while reducing its concentration in the blood. At the same time, the number of LDL receptors increases, which gives an impetus to the accelerated extraction of low-density cholesterol.

As a rule, the following drugs are prescribed:

simvastatin (vasilip, zokor, ovenkor, simvahexal, simvacard, simvakor, simvastatin, simvastol, simvor, simlo, syncard, holvasim);
lovastatin (cardiostatin, choletar);
pravastatin;
atorvastatin (anvistat, atokor, atomaks, ator, atorvox, atoris, vazator, lipoford, lipimar, liptonorm, novostat, torvazin, torvacard, tulip);
rosuvastatin (acorta, crestor, mertenil, rosart, rosistark, rosucard, rosulip, roxera, rustor, tevastor);
pitavastatin (Livazo);
fluvastatin (lescol).

Simvastatin and lovastatin are made from fungi. Similar, tablets are converted into active metabolites. Pravastatin is classified as a fungal derivative that is already active in itself.

Statins can be recommended for use every evening once. This treatment regimen is explained by the fact that the peak of blood cholesterol formation occurs at night. Over time, statin doses can be increased, and its effectiveness will be achieved after the first few days of administration, reaching a maximum after a month.

Statins are quite safe for humans, but it is extremely important not to use large doses, especially with fibrates, which is fraught with liver problems.

Some patients may have muscle weakness and pain in the body. In some cases, abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, as well as complete loss of appetite, insomnia and headaches are noted.

These cholesterol-lowering drugs are not able to affect carbohydrate and purine metabolism, which allows them to be used in various degrees of obesity, gout and diabetes. Note that if observed, it is necessary to consult a doctor on taking medications.

If we consider the classical regimens of therapy, then statins can be connected to the treatment of atherosclerosis as monotherapy or along with other drugs.

Pharmacology offers ready-made combinations based on.

Drug therapy of lipid metabolism disorders is prescribed for the ineffectiveness of a lipid-lowering diet, rational physical activity and weight loss within 6 months. If the level of total cholesterol in the blood is above 6.5 mmol / l, drugs can be prescribed earlier than this period.

To correct lipid metabolism, anti-atherogenic (lipipidemic) agents are prescribed. The purpose of their use is to reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol (total cholesterol, triglycerides, very low lipoproteins (VLDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL)), which slows down the development of vascular atherosclerosis and reduces the risk of developing its clinical manifestations: heart attack, stroke and other diseases .

Lipid-lowering agents:

Anion exchange resins and drugs that reduce the absorption (assimilation) of cholesterol in the intestine.
A nicotinic acid.
Probucol.
fibrates.
Statins (inhibitors of the enzyme 3-hydroxymethyl-glutaryl-coenzyme-A-reductase).

Depending on the mechanism of action, cholesterol-lowering drugs can be divided into several groups.

Drugs that prevent the synthesis of atherogenic lipoproteins ("bad cholesterol"):

statins;
fibrates;
a nicotinic acid;
probucol;
benzaflavin.

Means that slow down the absorption of cholesterol from food in the intestines:

bile acid sequestrants;
Guarem.

Lipid metabolism correctors that increase the level of "good cholesterol":

essentiale;
lipostabil.

Bile acid sequestrants

Medicines that bind bile acids (cholestyramine, colestipol) are anion exchange resins. Once in the intestines, they “capture” bile acids and remove them from the body. The body begins to experience a lack of bile acids necessary for normal life. Therefore, the liver starts the process of synthesizing them from cholesterol. Cholesterol is "taken" from the blood, as a result, its concentration there decreases.

Cholestyramine and colestipol are available as powders. The daily dose should be divided into 2-4 doses, consumed by diluting the drug in a liquid (water, juice).

Anion exchange resins are not absorbed into the blood, acting only in the intestinal lumen. Therefore, they are quite safe and do not have serious undesirable effects. Many experts believe that it is necessary to start the treatment of hyperlipidemia with these drugs.

Side effects include bloating, nausea, and constipation, and less commonly loose stools. To prevent such symptoms, it is necessary to increase the intake of fluids and dietary fiber (fiber, bran).
With long-term use of these drugs in high doses, it is possible to disrupt the absorption of folic acid and some vitamins in the intestines, mainly fat-soluble ones.

Bile acid sequestrants reduce the concentration of "bad" cholesterol in the blood. The content of triglycerides does not change or even increases. If the patient has an initially elevated triglyceride level, anion exchange resins should be combined with drugs from other groups that reduce the level of this fraction of blood lipids.

Drugs that inhibit the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine

By slowing down the absorption of cholesterol from food in the intestines, these drugs reduce its concentration in the blood.
The most effective of this group of funds is guar. It is an herbal nutritional supplement derived from the seeds of the hyacinth bean. It contains a water-soluble polysaccharide, which forms a kind of jelly upon contact with the liquid in the intestinal lumen.

Guarem mechanically removes cholesterol molecules from the intestinal walls. It accelerates the excretion of bile acids, leading to an increased uptake of cholesterol from the blood to the liver for their synthesis. The drug suppresses appetite and reduces the amount of food eaten, which leads to a decrease in weight and blood lipids.
Guarem is available in granules, which should be added to the liquid (water, juice, milk). The drug should be combined with other anti-atherosclerotic drugs.

Side effects include bloating, nausea, intestinal pain, and sometimes loose stools. However, they are slightly expressed, rarely occur, with continued therapy they disappear on their own.

A nicotinic acid

Nicotinic acid and its derivatives (enduracin, niceritrol, acipimox) is a vitamin of group B. It reduces the concentration of "bad cholesterol" in the blood. Nicotinic acid activates the fibrinolysis system, reducing the ability of the blood to form blood clots. This tool is more effective than other lipid-lowering drugs increases the concentration of "good cholesterol" in the blood.

Treatment with nicotinic acid is carried out for a long time, with a gradual increase in dose. Before and after taking it, it is not recommended to drink hot drinks, especially coffee.

This medicine can irritate the stomach, so it is not prescribed for gastritis and peptic ulcer. Many patients experience redness of the face at the beginning of treatment. Gradually, this effect disappears. To prevent it, it is recommended to take 325 mg of aspirin 30 minutes before taking the drug. In 20% of patients, itching is noted.

Treatment with nicotinic acid preparations is contraindicated in gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, chronic hepatitis, severe,.

Enduracin is a long-acting nicotinic acid drug. It is much better tolerated, causes a minimum of side effects. They can be treated for a long time.

Probucol

The drug well reduces the levels of both "good" and "bad" cholesterol. The drug does not affect the level of triglycerides.

The drug removes LDL from the blood, accelerates the excretion of cholesterol with bile. It inhibits lipid peroxidation, exhibiting an anti-atherosclerotic effect.

The effect of the remedy appears two months after the start of treatment and lasts up to six months after its termination. It can be combined with any other means to lower cholesterol.

Under the influence of the drug, it is possible to lengthen the Q-T interval on the electrocardiogram and develop severe ventricular. During its reception, it is necessary to repeat the electrocardiogram at least once every 3-6 months. You can not appoint probucol simultaneously with cordarone. Other unwanted effects include bloating and abdominal pain, nausea, and sometimes loose stools.

Probucol is contraindicated in ventricular arrhythmias associated with a prolonged QT interval, frequent episodes of myocardial ischemia, as well as in the initial low level of HDL.

Fibrates

Fibrates effectively reduce the level of triglycerides in the blood, to a lesser extent the concentration of LDL and VLDL cholesterol. They are used in cases of significant hypertriglyceridemia. The most commonly used are the following:

gemfibrozil (Lopid, Gevilon);
fenofibrate (lipantil 200 M, tricor, exlip);
ciprofibrate (lipanor);
choline fenofibrate (trilipix).

Side effects include muscle damage (pain, weakness), nausea and abdominal pain, liver dysfunction. Fibrates may increase the formation of calculi (stones) in gallbladder. In rare cases, under the influence of these drugs, hematopoiesis is suppressed with the development of leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia.

Fibrates are not prescribed for diseases of the liver and gallbladder, hematopoiesis disorders.

Statins

Statins are the most effective lipid-lowering agents. They block the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver, while its content in the blood decreases. At the same time, the number of receptors for LDL increases, which leads to an accelerated extraction of “bad cholesterol” from the blood.
The most commonly prescribed drugs are:

simvastatin (vasilip, zokor, ovenkor, simvahexal, simvacard, simvakol, simvastin, simvastol, simvor, simlo, syncard, holvasim);
lovastatin (cardiostatin, choletar);
pravastatin;
atorvastatin (anvistat, atokor, atomaks, ator, atorvox, atoris, vazator, lipoford, lipimar, liptonorm, novostat, torvazin, torvacard, tulip);
rosuvastatin (acorta, crestor, mertenil, rosart, rosistark, rosucard, rosulip, roxera, rustor, tevastor);
pitavastatin (Livazo);
fluvastatin (lescol).

Lovastatin and simvastatin are made from fungi. These are "prodrugs" that are converted in the liver into active metabolites. Pravastatin belongs to derivatives of fungal metabolites, but is not metabolized in the liver, but is already an active substance. Fluvastatin and atorvastatin are fully synthetic drugs.

Statins are prescribed once a day in the evening, since the peak of cholesterol formation in the body occurs at night. Gradually, their dosage may increase. The effect occurs already during the first days of admission, reaches a maximum after a month.

Statins are fairly safe. However, when using large doses, especially in combination with fibrates, liver function may be impaired. Some patients experience muscle pain and muscle weakness. Sometimes there are pains in the abdomen, nausea, constipation, lack of appetite. In some cases, insomnia and headaches are likely to occur.

Statins do not affect purine and carbohydrate metabolism. They can be prescribed for gout, diabetes, obesity.

Statins are included in the standards of therapy for. They are prescribed as monotherapy or in combination with other anti-atherosclerotic agents. There are ready-made combinations of lovastatin and nicotinic acid, simvastatin and ezetimibe (INEGI), pravastatin and fenofibrate, rosuvastatin and ezetimibe.

Essentiale contains essential phospholipids, B vitamins, nicotinamide, unsaturated fatty acids, sodium pantothenate. The drug improves the breakdown and excretion of "bad" cholesterol, activates the beneficial properties of "good" cholesterol.

Lipostabil is close in composition and action to Essentiale.

Ezetimibe (Ezetrol) delays the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine, reducing its flow to the liver. It reduces the content of "bad" cholesterol in the blood. The drug is most effective in combination with statins.

Video on the topic "Cholesterol and statins: is it worth taking the medicine?"

Quite a few people are concerned excess cholesterol. Most of them believe that cholesterol only rises when a person eats food that directly contains a large amount of cholesterol, but this is not true!

A large amount of this substance, namely 70%, is synthesized by the body on its own, and only 30% come from outside.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance which is found in almost all living organisms on the planet. Cholesterol is produced by the liver, and in such an amount that is necessary for the full functioning of the body, so it does not make sense to additionally receive it with food.
If a person's diet is balanced, then on average per day, an additional 300-500 mg of cholesterol enters the body, and the same amount is produced in the body itself by the synthesis process. Already in the intestines, cholesterol molecules are released from the products and penetrate into the blood.
It can also penetrate tissues., under the guise of peculiar protein-lipid compounds - lipoproteins, which include protein apoproteins, cholesterol and triglycerides. If there are a lot of triglycerides in the blood, then this composition has a very low density, respectively, when the amount of lipoproteins is insufficient, then the complex has an increased density.
- low density lipoproteins, undergo synthesis in the liver and turn into high-density lipoproteins, rich in cholesterol molecules, which contain up to two-thirds of the total composition of blood plasma. These substances transport cholesterol in the blood vessels and are one of the signs of atherosclerosis. With a minimum content of low density lipoproteins, the lower the risk of the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the blood vessels.
- contain less cholesterol, they are responsible for the reverse transport of cholesterol from the vessels to other lipoproteins, or directly to the liver, which, in turn, removes them from the body along with bile.

Causes of high cholesterol

The amount of cholesterol in the blood is affected by both hereditary and acquired pathologies. A person can inherit some genes from their parents that promote cholesterol synthesis. This phenomenon does not indicate a mandatory increase in cholesterol, its amount can be either high or low. Such pathologies lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases.

If we talk about acquired pathologies, then this includes:

Lifestyle also affects the amount of cholesterol. Frequent consumption of fatty foods, as well as bakery products, which include vegetable fats and margarine, significantly increase the rate of cholesterol.
Bad habits, smoking, alcoholism, soft drugs, as well as hobbies such as hookah or electronic cigarettes can be attributed to active cholesterol production.
Sedentary lifestyle leads rather not to the active production of cholesterol, but to its accumulation.

Symptoms of high cholesterol

Many people wonder - how to lower cholesterol without pills? Naturally, this is possible, but in cases where an increased cholesterol rate is just the first symptom.

A long-term increase in the norm in a chronic disease is very difficult to cure with folk remedies, so they are used as concomitant treatment:

Linden from cholesterol. The recipe involves the use of dried lime blossom. They, oddly enough, are taken dry, and not steamed. A small amount of color is ground in a blender or coffee grinder to a powder state. One teaspoon should be eaten with a glass of water 20 minutes before meals, three times a day.
Garlic. Prepare garlic tincture. To do this, chop 350 grams of peeled garlic, place in a glass bowl and pour 300 ml of medical alcohol. Remove the infusion in a dark and cool place (but not in the refrigerator) for 10 days. Take a teaspoon three times a day.
Jaundice. According to Bolotov's recipe, 50 grams of dried jaundice herb must be poured with three liters of boiled water. 100 grams of sugar are stirred in water and infused for 14 days. The resulting fermentation is drunk in half a glass once a day, half an hour before meals.
Propolis. Its use will help lower cholesterol levels. Propolis tincture 4%, mixed with water (2-3 drops) and drunk twice a day.
Rowan red. It removes bad cholesterol from the body. Several rowan berries are poured with boiling water and insisted for two hours. The resulting infusion is drunk in one gulp.