Cholesterol
Doctors prescribe statins to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Here are pros and cons to consider when taking them. Common Names Lipitor (atorvastatin), Crestor (rosuvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), Livalo (pitavastatin), Altoprev (lovastatin extended release) Side Effects and What to Do About…
About half of people prescribed statin medications fail to achieve an appropriate reduction in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels two years after taking the drug. Researchers in the UK examined data on more than 165,000 people prescribed a statin between 1990 and 2016. They had not been treated for a heart…
Although statins are a mainstay of treatment for high cholesterol, many people who take the drugs experience side effects. But a new drug appears to lower the body’s “bad” cholesterol levels, but without side effects, such as muscle pains, seen with statins. The new drug, bempedoic acid, works by targeting…
An expensive new cholesterol drug was able to significantly reduce levels of bad cholesterol, though the medication’s ability to lower cardiovascular risk was more modest than expected. The drug, Repatha (evolocumab), is a biologic known as a PCSK9 inhibitor that works by lowering LDL, or bad cholesterol levels. A new…
Patients who experience side effects while on statin medication are more likely to fail to meet cholesterol targets. A Norwegian study examined 1,095 patients hospitalized with a heart attack, coronary artery bypass graft or coronary stent. Researchers found that 57% of patients were failing to meet the cholesterol target of…
Patients taking the newest class of cholesterol-lowering drugs do not experience any more side effects than those on a placebo, though those on a PCSK9 inhibitor may have an increased risk for cataracts. Researchers conducted a meta-analysis – a study of studies – that included 5,234 patients treated with Praluent…
The FDA is withdrawing approvals of 2 medications, Trilipix (fenofibric acid) and Niaspan (niacin extended-release), that are supposed to be taken along with statins to reduce high cholesterol levels because there is a lack of post-marketing evidence that the drugs have any significant cardiovascular benefit. The FDA’s action, which is…
Amgen, Sanofi, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. have reported additional information about the cholesterol lowering drugs PCSK9 inhibitors. The studies were broadly consistent, showing the powerful cholesterol-lowering effects. However, both studies also reported a small but significant number of adverse neurocognitive effects in people taking the drugs. Via Forbes. Posted March 30,…