People who care about their future and health have long known that the cause of high mortality from cardiovascular diseases is often the increased level of cholesterol in the blood.
"Bad" and "good" cholesterol
Cholesterol is an organic compound that is produced by the liver. In addition, part of it enters our body with food, especially greasy. The functions of this substance are quite diverse:
- participates in the production of hormones;
- is the main element for the formation of bile acids and certain vitamins;
- is involved in the process of hematopoiesis;
- regulates the permeability of cells.
"Bad" is called cholesterol , with a low density, prone to precipitation and the formation of plaques. "Good" cholesterol has the ability to bind "bad" and deliver it to the liver for further processing. Violation of the balance between these compounds causes the appearance of thrombi and atherosclerosis.
The level of "bad" cholesterol in the body, ideally, should not exceed 100 mg / dl. When it is raised to 130 mg / dl, it is recommended to reduce it with the help of nutrition and lifestyle adjustments. The cholesterol index above 160 mg / dl is the reason for the beginning of the use of drugs that lower the level of cholesterol in the blood.
Drugs for lowering cholesterol
Reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood helps statins. To date, there are already four generations of these medicines.
First generation
The first drug to reduce cholesterol in the blood was lovastatin (a cholesterol reduction rate of 25%). Lovastatin is an active substance in such preparations as:
- Cardiotolate;
- Holletar;
- Cardiostatin.
Also to the first generation are Pravastatin, Simvastatin. On their basis the following preparations have been made:
- Vazilip;
- Zocor;
- Simvastol;
- Simgal et al.
The second generation
Cholesterol lowering agent fluvastatin (29%) is the second generation and the medicinal substance in the Lescola Forte tablets.Third Generation
Atorvastatin and cerivastatin are the third generation with a 47% reduction in cholesterol. Preparations that have them in their composition:
- Atomax;
- Liprimar;
- Tulip;
- Torvacard and others.
The fourth generation
And finally, the newest remedies to date are rosuvastatin and Pitavastatin (55%). These are such tableted preparations as:
- Akorta;
- The Cross;
- Roxer;
- Tevastor, etc.
These drugs are taken at night, which is due to the "night regime" of cholesterol production. Plus the reception of statin tablets that reduce cholesterol in the blood, is a rapid therapeutic effect (a decrease in the level observed on 7-10 days), long-term use is almost safe. Also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Alternative medicines to reduce cholesterol
If statins are not suitable for some reason, there are several other types of drugs that lower the level of cholesterol in the blood. It:
1. Fibrates - drugs, based on fibroic acid, which affect lipid metabolism:
- Trilipix;
- Fenofibrate;
- Lipanor;
- Bezalip;
- Trakor.
These drugs can not be used while taking statins.
2. Drugs that interfere with the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine, for example, Ezetrol.
3. Biologically active additives and vitamin preparations:
- lipoic acid;
- fish fat;
- Omega 3;
- niacin;
- Tyqveol.
All these drugs can be used in complex therapy to reduce cholesterol, in the quality of additional funds. Since all medicines should be taken with caution and have rather significant side effects, it is up to the doctor-specialist in each case to decide how and with what drugs to lower cholesterol in the blood.