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Medications for High Cholesterol

Other names: Cholesteremia; Cholesterol, Elevated Levels; Cholesterol, High; Cholesterolemia; Familial Hypercholesterolemia; Hypercholesterolemia; Hypercholesterolemia, Familial; Hyperlipidemia; Lipid Metabolism Disorders

Acquired lipid disorders is a group of disorders characterized by an excess of fatty substances, such as cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoproteins present in the blood.

See also: sub-topics

Drugs used to treat High Cholesterol

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
atorvastatin 4.2 247 reviews
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 4.7 118 reviews
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

Crestor 5.6 111 reviews
Rx X N X

Generic name: rosuvastatin systemic

Drug class: statins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Repatha 4.3 338 reviews
Rx N

Generic name: evolocumab systemic

Drug class: PCSK9 inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

rosuvastatin 4.9 198 reviews
Rx X N X

Generic name: rosuvastatin systemic

Brand names:  Crestor, Ezallor

Drug class: statins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Praluent 5.8 142 reviews
Rx N

Generic name: alirocumab systemic

Drug class: PCSK9 inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Leqvio 5.0 3 reviews
Rx N

Generic name: inclisiran systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

pravastatin 4.2 64 reviews
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 3.9 59 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: ezetimibe systemic

Drug class: cholesterol absorption inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

ezetimibe 3.6 135 reviews
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 6.3 15 reviews
Rx X N X

Generic name: lovastatin systemic

Brand names:  Altocor, Altoprev

Drug class: statins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Zocor 5.0 22 reviews
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
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 7.0 20 reviews
Rx X N X

Generic name: ezetimibe / simvastatin systemic

Drug class: antihyperlipidemic combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Livalo 5.4 84 reviews
Rx X N X

Generic name: pitavastatin systemic

Drug class: statins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

niacin 6.0 48 reviews
Rx/OTC C N X

Generic name: niacin systemic

Brand names:  Niaspan, Niacin SR, Slo-Niacin, B3-500-Gr, B-3-50, Niacor, Endur-acin, HDL Benefit …show all

Drug class: vitamins, miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Niaspan 5.9 27 reviews
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
Rx B N

Generic name: colesevelam systemic

Drug class: bile acid sequestrants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Altocor Rate Add review
Rx X N X

Generic name: lovastatin systemic

Drug class: statins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Altoprev 10 1 review
Rx X N X

Generic name: lovastatin systemic

Drug class: statins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

ezetimibe / simvastatin 7.0 20 reviews
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
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

Niacin SR 9.0 3 reviews
Rx/OTC C N X

Generic name: niacin systemic

Drug class: vitamins, miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Slo-Niacin 9.5 2 reviews
Rx/OTC C N X

Generic name: niacin systemic

Drug class: vitamins, miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

B3-500-Gr 10 1 review
Rx/OTC C N X

Generic name: niacin systemic

Drug class: vitamins, miscellaneous antihyperlipidemic agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Frequently asked questions

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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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