Statins
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Fluvastatin (Lescol XL)
Lovastatin (Altoprev)
Pitavastatin (Livalo)
Pravastatin (Pravachol)
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Simvastatin (Zocor) |
Decrease LDL and triglycerides; slightly increase HDL |
Muscle pain, increased blood sugar levels, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, cramps, elevation of liver enzymes |
Cholesterol absorption inhibitor
Ezetimibe (Zetia) |
Decreases LDL; slightly decreases triglycerides; slightly increases HDL |
Stomach pain, diarrhea, fatigue, muscle soreness; avoid during pregnancy and lactation |
PCSK9 inhibitors
Alirocumab (Praluent)
Evolocumab (Repatha) |
Decrease LDL; usually reserved for people who have a genetic condition that causes very high LDL levels or people with heart disease who cannot tolerate statins or other cholesterol lowering drugs |
Itching, swelling, pain or bruising at injection site |
Citrate lyase inhibitors
Bempedoic acid (Nexletol)
Bempedoic acid-ezetimibe (Nexlizet) |
Decrease LDL |
Muscle spasms and joint pain, including acute gout |
Bile acid sequestrants
Cholestyramine (Prevalite)
Colesevelam (Welchol)
Colestipol (Colestid) |
Decrease LDL; may slightly increase HDL |
Constipation, bloating, nausea, gas, heartburn |
Combination cholesterol absorption inhibitor and statin
Ezetimibe-simvastatin (Vytorin) |
Decreases LDL and triglycerides; increases HDL |
Stomach pain, fatigue, gas, constipation, abdominal pain, cramps, muscle soreness, pain and weakness |
Combination calcium channel blocker and statin
Amlodipine-atorvastatin (Caduet) |
The statin component decreases LDL and triglycerides; the calcium channel blocker lowers blood pressure |
Facial and neck flushing, dizziness, heart palpitations, muscle soreness and pain, increased blood sugar levels, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, cramps, elevation of liver enzymes |
Fibrates
Fenofibrate (Antara, Lipofen, others)
Gemfibrozil (Lopid) |
Decrease triglycerides; modestly decrease LDL; increase HDL |
Nausea, stomach pain, muscle pain |
Niacin
Prescription niacin (Niacor, Niaspan) |
Decreases LDL and triglycerides; increases HDL |
Facial and neck flushing, itching, stomach upset, increase in blood sugar |
Omega-3 fatty acids
Prescription versions include Lovaza, Omacor and Vascepa |
Decrease triglycerides; may increase HDL |
Belching, fishy taste, indigestion; may increase risk of bleeding |
