Your provider may recommend one or more medications to successfully treat high cholesterol and lipid disorders. We consider your overall health, lifestyle, and other factors to recommend a medication regimen that works for you and avoids unwanted side effects.
Statins
This common medication comes in a pill form. It lowers cholesterol by blocking the substance that your body needs to produce cholesterol and helps decrease the buildup of plaque in your arteries. Statins can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by up to 50%. You may not be able to take statins if you have kidney or liver disease, hypothyroidism, or other conditions, or if you experience side effects like muscle pain.
Ezetimibe
This common medication also comes in a pill form. It blocks the absorption of cholesterol from the intestines into the bloodstream. Ezetimibe can be taken along with statin therapy if needed.
PCSK9 Inhibitors
These medications may be recommended if your body cannot tolerate statins or if you need additional treatment to lower your cholesterol, especially if you have a history of heart disease or a genetic cholesterol condition. PCSK9 inhibitors are given as injections either every two weeks or every six months. They can lower “bad” cholesterol by at least 50%.
Bempedoic Acid
This medication is typically used in addition to statins when more cholesterol-lowering is needed in people with heart disease or genetic cholesterol disorders.
Evinacumab
This is an injectable medication taken every four weeks for people with difficult-to-control genetic cholesterol disorders.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Prescription-strength omega-3 fatty acids can help lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood). One type called icosapent ethyl has been shown to also reduce cardiovascular events in people at high risk.
Fibrates
This is a pill that can lower triglycerides by up to 60% and can help reduce the risk of pancreatitis due to triglycerides.
Niacin
This is a pill that can help lower triglycerides in people who need additional lowering.
Olezarsen
This is an injectable medication given every four weeks to help reduce triglycerides in people with genetic triglyceride disorders or who are not responding to other triglyceride-lowering treatments.
