Cholesterol Lowering Drugs
Cholesterol is one of the fatty substances present in the body and is necessary for the normal functioning of certain organs. However, if there is too much cholesterol in the body, it can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke. Therefore, it is important for us to maintain cholesterol levels within normal limits. One effective way to manage high cholesterol is through the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs. This article will explain the types of cholesterol-lowering drugs available and how these drugs work to help lower cholesterol levels.
1. Statins:
Statins are the most commonly used type of cholesterol-lowering drug. The mechanism of action of statins is by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, which is responsible for the production of cholesterol in the body. By inhibiting this enzyme, statins can reduce cholesterol production in the liver. In addition, statins also help improve the body's ability to eliminate excess cholesterol. Statins have been shown to be effective in lowering total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels, as well as increasing HDL (good cholesterol) levels.
2. Ezetimibe:
Ezetimibe is a cholesterol-lowering drug that works by blocking the absorption of cholesterol from food in the small intestine. By blocking cholesterol absorption, ezetimibe helps reduce the amount of cholesterol that enters the bloodstream. Ezetimibe is often used in combination with statins to provide a greater cholesterol-lowering effect.
3.PCSK9 Inhibitors:
PCSK9 inhibitors are a relatively new group of cholesterol-lowering drugs. This drug works by inhibiting the action of PCSK9, a protein involved in regulating cholesterol levels in the body. By inhibiting PCSK9, these drugs help increase the number of LDL receptors on the surface of the liver, thereby removing more LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream. PCSK9 inhibitors are generally used in patients who do not respond well to statin therapy or have statin intolerance.
4. Binding bile acids:
Drugs such as cholestyramine and colestipol are bile acid binding agents that help reduce cholesterol levels by binding to bile acids in the intestine. When bile acids are bound, the body must use cholesterol to make more bile acids, thereby lowering the amount of cholesterol in the blood. However, the use of binding bile acids is limited due to side effects such as digestive disturbances and absorption of nutrients that can occur.
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