What You Need to Know About Medication for Cholesterol Level Management

Cholesterol is a substance made in the liver and found in the blood. It is essential for good health, supporting important bodily functions such as building cells and digesting food. However, too much of it can lead to a condition called hyperlipidemia or, simply, high cholesterol.

Fortunately, high blood cholesterol can be managed with the help of medication for cholesterol. Read on to learn about the most commonly prescribed drugs for this condition and how doctors determine which ones to prescribe to you.

Commonly Prescribed Medication for Cholesterol

Lifestyle changes, such as working out more and eating healthier food, help lower high cholesterol. However, your doctor may prescribe certain medications if your cholesterol levels remain high. The following are some drugs typically prescribed to people with high cholesterol.

Statins

These are drugs that keep your liver from producing low-density lipoprotein (LDL), commonly known as "bad cholesterol." Too much LDL in the blood increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Some examples of statins are:

Omega-3 Acid Ethyl Esters

If you have high levels of triglycerides as well as cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe Omega-3 acid ethyl esters. These may also increase the levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or "good cholesterol" in your blood.

These drugs are available in generic form as well as under the brands LOVAZA® and OMTRYG™.

Fenofibrate

This medication is given to patients with high levels of LDL and triglycerides in their blood. In the U.S., it's available in generic and branded forms. The following are some of fenofibrate's brand names:

• Antara®
• Fenoglide®
• TriCor®
• Triglide®
• Trilipix®

Icosapent Ethyl

This medication is prescribed if there is dyslipidemia or an imbalance in your blood's lipids. These include HDL and LDL cholesterol as well as triglycerides. Icosapent ethyl may be prescribed along with statins. It is available in generic form and also marketed under the brand name Vascepa®.

Ezetimibe

Ezetimibe is prescribed along with lifestyle changes to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. It does so by preventing the intestine from absorbing cholesterol. Ezetimibe can be taken alone but is most commonly prescribed with a statin.

The brand name for ezetimibe in the U.S. is Zetia®. However, it can be found in combination products under the following brands:

• Vytorin® (containing ezetimibe and simvastatin)
• Liptruzet® (containing ezetimibe and atorvastatin)
• Nexlizet® (containing ezetimibe and bempedoic acid)

Colesevelam

This drug is typically prescribed to adults with high cholesterol, specifically LDL, as well as children and young people with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) or other conditions that cause high cholesterol.

The liver uses bile acids to break down cholesterol. Colesevelam works by binding to bile acids in the stomach, causing them to be removed from the body. As a result, the liver makes more bile acids, lowering cholesterol levels.

Colesevelam can be purchased in generic form or under the brand name WelChol®.

The Importance of Getting a Lipid Panel

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately two in five American adults have high cholesterol. People with this condition may not experience any symptoms, and a blood test is the only way to know if you have it. Unfortunately, in some cases, people only find out they have it when its progression triggers emergency medical events such as heart attack and stroke.

That's why testing is critical. The CDC recommends that healthy adults get their cholesterol levels checked via a test called a "lipid panel" four to six times annually. Meanwhile, those with a family history of the condition may need to be tested more often.

Testing and a physical exam will confirm whether you have high cholesterol levels in your blood. Only then can your doctor prescribe one or more types of medication for cholesterol to control your condition.

How Doctors Determine the Best Medication for Cholesterol for Their Patients

To determine the best medication for cholesterol for your particular situation, as well as the dosage you need, your doctor may consider the following factors:

• Your medical history.
• Your lifestyle habits, such as whether you drink alcohol or smoke.
• The benefits of the medication.
• Possible side effects of the medication.
• Outcomes seen in studies and other patients.
• Other medical conditions.
• Allergies or sensitivities to medications.
• Medications and supplements you are already taking.

Choosing the Best Medication for Cholesterol

To get the right treatment for high cholesterol levels, it's always best to consult a physician. They will perform a physical examination, order the necessary tests and discuss your needs to come up with a treatment plan that's best for you.

Keep in mind that even the best medication for cholesterol won't work if you don't take it as prescribed. Unfortunately, many people don't take their medication because it's too expensive, making treatment ineffective.

Often, but not always, doctors will also consider the cost of the medication they prescribe. If cost is a concern, let your doctor know. They may be able to prescribe a generic option or an otherwise more affordable alternative.

If you are struggling to pay for your medication for cholesterol, Inside Rx may be able to help.

Inside Rx is Here to Help

Inside Rx is a prescription discount card that can help discount the cost of prescription medications for those who pay out-of-pocket for their medications. With Inside Rx, you may be able to save up to 80% off brand and generic medications.

To check if there’s a discount on your medication, simply type the name of your medication into the search bar on InsideRx.com. Then enter your zip code in the filters to see and compare the discounted prices of your prescription at pharmacies nearest you! Inside Rx partners with over 60,000 pharmacies in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, so you’ll likely be surprised at your options.

To get a free Inside Rx card, click here! You can also print, text or email the card to yourself. We also have a free and convenient mobile app to have access to savings right from your pocket. Then, show your card to the pharmacist at checkout to save!

We know how important it is to take your necessary cholesterol medications. Don’t let cost deter you from that, let us help you stay healthy.

To learn more about Inside Rx, visit our FAQ page.

Sources:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/symptoms-causes/syc-20350800
• https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/59001/WHO_DAP_94.11.pdf
• https://haiweb.org/encyclopaedia/who-guide-to-good-prescribing/
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol-medications/art-20050958
• https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/lipid-disorders/dyslipidemia
• https://familyheart.org/heterozygous-familial-hypercholesterolemia