CHOLESTEROL

Ezetimibe

Zetia — Antihyperlipidemic

Ezetimibe PO/Function/Common Use

PO — Reduces gut absorption of cholesterol — Reduces LDL in blood

Ezetimibe Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

— Diarrhea, abdominal cramp, nausea/vomiting — No special considerations

Omega-3 acid ethyl esters

Lovaza — Anti-hyperlipidemic

Omega-3 acid ethyl esters PO/Function/Common Use

PO — Reduces gut absorption of cholesterol — Reduces triglycerides in blood

Omega-3 acid ethyl esters Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

— Nausea/vomiting, burping with unpleasant smell, diarrhea — No special considerations

Colesevelam

Welchol — Bile acid sequestrant

Colesevelam PO/Function/Common Use

PO — Binds dietary cholesterol and prevents gut absorption — Reduces LDL in blood

Colesevelam Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

May increase triglycerides — Constipation, abdominal cramp, nausea/vomiting — Do not give in patients with blood triglycerides > 500

Fenofibrate

Tricor, Trilipix — Fibric acid derivative

Fenofibrate PO/Function/Common Use

PO — Alters liver processing of cholesterol — Reduces triglycerides in blood

Fenofibrate Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Rare: liver toxicity, pancreatitis, skin rash — Abdominal pain, muscle pain — No special considerations

Gemfibrozil

Lopid — Fibric acid derivative

Gemfibrozil PO/Function/Common Use

PO — Alters liver processing of cholesterol — Reduces triglycerides in blood

Gemfibrozil Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Rare: liver toxicity, pancreatitis, skin rash — Abdominal pain, muscle pain — Avoid grapefruit juice

Atorvastatin

Lipitor — HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (cholesterol)

Atorvastatin PO/Function/Common Use

PO — Inhibits liver cholesterol biosynthesis — Reduces LDL, reduces triglycerides, raises HDL; prevents or treats after myocardial infarction or stroke

Atorvastatin Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Muscle toxicity/pain, liver toxicity — Rare: increased blood glucose, impaired thinking — No special considerations

Lovastatin

Mevacor, Altoprev — HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (cholesterol)

Lovastatin PO/Function/Common Use

PO — Inhibits liver cholesterol biosynthesis — Reduces LDL, reduces triglycerides, raises HDL; prevents or treats after myocardial infarction or stroke

Lovastatin Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Muscle toxicity/pain, liver toxicity — Rare: increased blood glucose, impaired thinking — Take at bedtime; avoid grapefruit juice

Pravastatin

Pravachol — HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (cholesterol)

Pravastatin PO/Function/Common Use

PO — Inhibits liver cholesterol biosynthesis — Reduces LDL, reduces triglycerides, raises HDL; prevents or treats after myocardial infarction or stroke

Pravastatin Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Muscle toxicity/pain, liver toxicity — Rare: increased blood glucose, impaired thinking — Take at bedtime; avoid grapefruit juice

Rosuvastatin

Crestor, Ezallor — HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (cholesterol)

Rosuvastatin PO/Function/Common Use

PO — Inhibits liver cholesterol biosynthesis — Reduces LDL, reduces triglycerides, raises HDL; prevents or treats after myocardial infarction or stroke

Rosuvastatin Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Muscle toxicity/pain, liver toxicity — Rare: increased blood glucose, impaired thinking — No special considerations

Simvastatin

Zocor — HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (cholesterol)

Simvastatin PO/Function/Common Use

PO — Inhibits liver cholesterol biosynthesis — Reduces LDL, reduces triglycerides, raises HDL; prevents or treats after myocardial infarction or stroke

Simvastatin Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Muscle toxicity/pain, liver toxicity — Rare: increased blood glucose, impaired thinking — Take at bedtime; avoid grapefruit juice