Statins: List of medications and alternatives for high cholesterol

Statins are a class of drugs that block the liver enzyme responsible for producing cholesterol. By lowering the amount of cholesterol produced, statins can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in people with high cholesterol levels.

A healthcare professional may recommend statins in cases where your cholesterol levels aren’t significantly elevated but you have other risk factors for heart disease, such as a family history of heart attacks or tobacco use.

While statins are primarily used to lower cholesterol levels, they may also have other benefits, such as reducing inflammation and improving bone health. However, these uses are still being studied.

Are all statins created equal?

Not all statins are the same. Each statin has unique characteristics, including proven effectiveness, side effects, the time it takes to work, and possible interactions with other medications.

Healthcare professionals may prefer certain statins based on individual factors such as your health profile, medication history, and genetic factors. 

For example, some people may experience fewer side effects with one statin compared with others or require a higher or lower dosage to manage their cholesterol effectively.

Additionally, certain statins may be more effective at reducing specific types of cholesterol, such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or triglycerides, while others may offer additional cardiovascular benefits beyond cholesterol reduction. 

A healthcare professional may also consider cost, availability, and other practical factors when prescribing a statin, adjusting the choice to suit your needs and circumstances.

List of common statin drugs

Common statin medications include:

Atorvastatin

• Brand name: Lipitor
• Dosage: 10–80 milligrams (mg) once daily
• Administration forms: oral tablets
• Ages: typically prescribed for adults, but the specific age may vary based on individual health considerations
• Atorvastatin drug coupon here

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Simvastatin

• Brand name: Zocor
• Dosage: 5–80 mg once daily
• Administration forms: oral tablets
• Ages: typically prescribed for adults only
• Simvastatin drug coupon here

Rosuvastatin

• Brand name: Crestor
• Dosage: 5–40 mg once daily
• Administration forms: oral tablets
• Ages: typically prescribed for adults
• Rosuvastatin drug coupon here

Pravastatin

• Brand name: Pravachol
• Dosage: 10–80 mg once daily
• Administration forms: oral tablets
• Ages: typically prescribed for adults
• Pravastatin drug coupon here

This isn’t an all-inclusive list of statin drugs, but it includes popular options to manage cholesterol levels. The appropriate medication, dosage, administration form, and age range may vary based on individual needs. A doctor will consider your medical history, cholesterol levels, and potential drug interactions to determine the most suitable statin drug.

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Statin combination medications

A healthcare professional may prescribe statin combination drugs to treat hypertension, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, and angina (chest pain). These combinations typically include a statin drug, which helps lower cholesterol levels, and a medication from a different drug class, such as a calcium channel blocker, which relaxes blood vessels.

Common examples of statin combination medications include:

• amlodipine atorvastatin (Caduet)
• ezetimibe simvastatin (Vytorin)

Common side effects of statins

Statins are generally well-tolerated medications, but some people may experience side effects, including:

• muscle pain or weakness
• headache
• abdominal pain or cramps
• nausea
• diarrhea

If you experience any side effects, it’s important not to discontinue the medication without consulting a healthcare professional. They may recommend adjustments in dosage or alternative medications to manage the side effects while still benefiting from cholesterol management.

Do you have to take statins for life?

The length of time you’ll need to take statins depends on individual factors.

Doctors often prescribe statin therapy as a long-term or lifelong treatment for managing cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease. However, a healthcare professional will determine the duration of statin drug use based on your specific health conditions and risk factors.  

Alternative medications to statins

While statins are widely used and effective in managing high cholesterol, they may not be suitable for everyone. 

Some alternative medications to statin drugs may include:

• Bile acid sequestrants: Bile acid sequestrants, such as cholestyramine (Questran) or colesevelam (Welchol), work by binding to bile acids in the digestive system and preventing their reabsorption. This helps lower LDL cholesterol levels.
• Fibrates: Fibrates, such as fenofibrate (Tricor) or gemfibrozil (Lopid), are medications that primarily target high levels of triglycerides, another type of blood fat. However, fibrates can also lower LDL cholesterol levels.
• PCSK9 inhibitors: PCSK9 inhibitors, such as evolocumab (Repatha) and alirocumab (Praluent), are injectable medications that work by blocking a protein called PCSK9. This protein is involved in the regulation of LDL cholesterol levels. By inhibiting PCSK9, these medications help lower LDL cholesterol significantly. PCSK9 inhibitors are usually reserved for people with very high cholesterol levels or those who cannot tolerate statins.
• Zetia: This medication reduces cholesterol absorption in the intestine. It can be used alone or in combination with statins to lower LDL cholesterol levels. It’s available in generic form under the name ezetimibe. The drug is generally well-tolerated and can be considered if statins are unsuitable or additional cholesterol reduction is needed.

Each alternative medication has its own benefits, considerations, and potential side effects. A healthcare professional will assess your medical history, cholesterol levels, and treatment goals to determine the most suitable alternative medication.

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Summary

The statin drug list includes atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, and rosuvastatin, among others. Healthcare professionals prescribe statins to manage cholesterol levels and reduce cardiovascular disease risk. However, they may not be suitable for everyone.

Alternative medications for high cholesterol such as ezetimibe, bile acid sequestrants, PCSK9 inhibitors, and fibrates are available.