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Medications for High Cholesterol

Other names: Cholesterol, High; Cholesterolemia; Familial Hypercholesterolemia; Hypercholesterolemia, Familial; Hyperlipidemia

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 19, 2024.

Medications that may be used to treat high cholesterol (also called hyperlipidemia or dyslipidemia) include:

Drugs used to treat High Cholesterol

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
atorvastatin 4.3 253 reviews for atorvastatin to treat High Cholesterol Rx X N X
Generic name:
atorvastatin systemic
Drug class:
statins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
simvastatin 4.7 117 reviews for simvastatin to treat High Cholesterol Rx X N X
Generic name:
simvastatin systemic
Brand names:
Zocor, FloLipid
Drug class:
statins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
rosuvastatin 4.9 207 reviews for rosuvastatin to treat High Cholesterol Rx X N X
Generic name:
rosuvastatin systemic
Brand name:
Crestor
Drug class:
statins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Crestor 5.5 113 reviews for Crestor to treat High Cholesterol Rx X N X
Generic name:
rosuvastatin systemic
Drug class:
statins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Leqvio 7.0 37 reviews for Leqvio to treat High Cholesterol Rx N
Generic name:
inclisiran systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
bempedoic acid/ezetimibe 9.5 10 reviews for bempedoic acid/ezetimibe to treat High Cholesterol Rx N
Generic name:
bempedoic acid/ezetimibe systemic
Brand name:
Nexlizet
Drug class:
antihyperlipidemic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
bempedoic acid 8.4 5 reviews for bempedoic acid to treat High Cholesterol Rx N
Generic name:
bempedoic acid systemic
Brand name:
Nexletol
Drug class:
miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Nexletol 8.4 5 reviews for Nexletol to treat High Cholesterol Rx N
Generic name:
bempedoic acid systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Nexlizet 9.4 8 reviews for Nexlizet to treat High Cholesterol Rx N
Generic name:
bempedoic acid/ezetimibe systemic
Drug class:
antihyperlipidemic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
pravastatin 4.6 67 reviews for pravastatin to treat High Cholesterol Rx X N X
Generic name:
pravastatin systemic
Drug class:
statins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Zetia 4.3 65 reviews for Zetia to treat High Cholesterol Rx C N
Generic name:
ezetimibe systemic
Drug class:
cholesterol absorption inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
ezetimibe 3.8 146 reviews for ezetimibe to treat High Cholesterol Rx C N
Generic name:
ezetimibe systemic
Brand name:
Zetia
Drug class:
cholesterol absorption inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
lovastatin 6.1 14 reviews for lovastatin to treat High Cholesterol Rx X N X
Generic name:
lovastatin systemic
Brand name:
Altoprev
Drug class:
statins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Zocor 4.8 21 reviews for Zocor to treat High Cholesterol Rx X N X
Generic name:
simvastatin systemic
Drug class:
statins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
gemfibrozil 6.3 24 reviews for gemfibrozil to treat High Cholesterol Rx C N
Generic name:
gemfibrozil systemic
Brand name:
Lopid
Drug class:
fibric acid derivatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Vytorin 6.8 19 reviews for Vytorin to treat High Cholesterol Rx X N X
Generic name:
ezetimibe / simvastatin systemic
Drug class:
antihyperlipidemic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Livalo 5.5 89 reviews for Livalo to treat High Cholesterol Rx X N X
Generic name:
pitavastatin systemic
Drug class:
statins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
niacin 6.0 47 reviews for niacin to treat High Cholesterol Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
niacin systemic
Brand names:
Niaspan, Niacin SR, B3-500-Gr, Slo-Niacin, Niacor, Endur-acin, HDL Benefit, NiaVasc
Drug class:
vitamins, miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Repatha 5.2 430 reviews for Repatha to treat High Cholesterol Rx N
Generic name:
evolocumab systemic
Drug class:
PCSK9 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Altoprev 10 1 review for Altoprev to treat High Cholesterol Rx X N X
Generic name:
lovastatin systemic
Drug class:
statins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
ezetimibe / simvastatin 6.8 19 reviews for ezetimibe / simvastatin to treat High Cholesterol Rx X N X
Generic name:
ezetimibe / simvastatin systemic
Brand name:
Vytorin
Drug class:
antihyperlipidemic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
fenofibric acid 5.1 13 reviews for fenofibric acid to treat High Cholesterol Rx C N
Generic name:
fenofibric acid systemic
Brand names:
Trilipix, Fibricor
Drug class:
fibric acid derivatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Niaspan 5.8 26 reviews for Niaspan to treat High Cholesterol Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
niacin systemic
Drug class:
vitamins, miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Welchol 6.7 11 reviews for Welchol to treat High Cholesterol Rx B N
Generic name:
colesevelam systemic
Drug class:
bile acid sequestrants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Niacin SR 9.0 3 reviews for Niacin SR to treat High Cholesterol Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
niacin systemic
Drug class:
vitamins, miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under High Cholesterol

Alternative treatments for High Cholesterol

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for High Cholesterol. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of High Cholesterol.

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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