ANNOUNCER: In addition to statins, there are other medications that can lower cholesterol.
SUZANNE HUGHES, MSN, RN: Another one is fibrates that generally operate not to lower the LDL, like the statins do, but to normalize the triglyceride and the HDL cholesterol. These are also very safe, although when used in combination with a statin do require a little more careful followup.
And another class of medications is the niacin group. And there's a prescription medicine that's niacin that actually can very nicely raise the HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides.
And then the last main class is the bile acid sequestrants, a group of medicines that actually can lower the LDL cholesterol, and they are not processed through the liver. They just act entirely on the gastrointestinal system.
NANETTE KASS-WENGER, MD There's a new medicine on the scene called ezetimibe, which prevents the absorption of cholesterol, and this has been added to a statin to provide further cholesterol lowering.
ANNOUNCER: With all the information available, patients with high cholestrol have many treatment options to consider with their physican.
NANETTE KASS-WENGER, MD: The most important thing is the benefit. No drug is absolutely safe, just as crossing the street is not absolutely safe. And when you decide to take a drug, or when I recommend that you take a drug, it really is because the benefits of this drug far, far, far, far outweigh any potential adverse effects.
