Crestor and Niacin - A Medicine for Cholesterol

 When you have high cholesterol, you may have heard of Crestor (rosuvastatin), or you may have read about the benefits of Niacin. The latter is a new type of medicine that can increase HDL cholesterol. But do statins really lower cholesterol? There is a lot of evidence to support this claim, but what exactly is it? And how effective are statins? How can they reduce cholesterol while improving other aspects of a person's health?


Crestor (rosuvastatin)

Crestor is a drug in the class of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." It is used to lower bad cholesterol and increase beneficial HDL, which is the good kind. In adults and children over eight years of age, Crestor can lower cholesterol and slow the progression of atherosclerosis. In pregnant and lactating women, however, it is not recommended.

As with any medicine for cholesterol, people should take Crestor regularly. They should take this medicine at the same time each day and even if they feel well, they should take it anyway. This medicine takes two to four weeks to reduce cholesterol levels and should be taken as directed. While Crestor may be a prescription medicine, it is not associated with severe side effects. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you may want to consider taking Crestor to lower it.

Side effects of Crestor can include muscle pain or weakness. If you are experiencing unexplained muscle pain or weakness, call your doctor. You should also report any symptoms of fever, dark urine, or loss of appetite. If you experience these side effects, get medical attention as soon as possible. Further, you should contact your doctor if you experience any of the other common side effects. The risk of serious kidney problems with Crestor is greater if you use the medicine in combination with a low-calorie, high-fat diet.

Niacin

Since the 1950s, niacin has been used as a mainstay of cholesterol treatment. The problem with niacin is that it is not effective alone in reducing cholesterol and its side effects can be very dangerous. Moreover, studies show that niacin is ineffective in reducing the number of heart attacks and strokes, and can even increase the risk of death. Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, a preventive cardiologist at Northwestern Medicine, has written a recent review of this controversial medicine.

There are some limitations to the use of niacin as a medicine for cholesterol. The side effects are generally mild, with nonprescription forms of the vitamin having the worst side effects. The drug may also raise blood sugar in diabetics and lead to liver toxicity. Overall, it has an intriguing role to play in treating patients with dyslipidemia, but it has some limitations. Therefore, niacin should be used with caution and only in appropriate situations.

Bile acid sequestrants

Bile acid sequestrants (BASs) are large polymers that block the absorption of bile salts. The decreased bile acid absorption results in increased hepatic cholesterol metabolism, lowering plasma LDL-C. First-generation BASs include cholestyramine and colestipol, and second-generation BASs include colesevelam.

A bile acid sequestrant can reduce LDL-C by 15-30% when taken alone or with another medication to block bile acid absorption. Bile acid sequestrants are FDA-approved for use in children and adolescents with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). These drugs are often combined with niacin or a cholesterol absorption inhibitor.

As with any medicine, there are some downsides to bile acid sequestrants as a medicine for cholesterol. For one, bile acid sequestrants have to be taken consistently to have any benefit. The resin may taste gritty to some people. If that is the case, they may need to take a multivitamin supplement. Furthermore, bile acid sequestrants can reduce the risk of gallstone formation in patients.

Niacin increases HDL cholesterol

Niacin is a water-soluble vitamin found naturally in many foods. Some foods have niacin added to them. Some people take a supplement. In one trial, niacin significantly increased HDL-C in individuals with moderately low levels of HDL cholesterol. Although its clinical value is debated, it is believed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Several studies have shown that niacin may improve HDL levels in individuals for cholesterol ka ilaj.

In the ARBITER 2 study, niacin was given to patients at a dose of 1000 mg/d. The results indicated that the high-dose niacin may have a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. The dosage was chosen in this study to balance the potential side effects of niacin. However, this dosage is less than the high-dose niacin in the HDL-Atherosclerosis Treatment Study.

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