Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines

Sometimes diet and exercise are not enough to improve your cholesterol or to lower your risk for heart attack or stroke. You may be prescribed one or more cholesterol-lowering medicines. Taking these medicines can be life saving.

Medicine may be recommended if you:

Have known plaque in an artery, a heart attack, or stroke
Had an angioplasty, stent, or heart bypass surgery due to blockages in your arteries
Have LDL of 190 mg/dl or higher
Have type 2 diabetes and are between ages 40 and 75
Are between 40 and 75 and your risk for having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years is above a certain level using a risk estimator, or if you have a strong family history of early onset cardiovascular disease.

In some cases, medicine may be right for you even if you are not in one of these groups. Taking these medicines can be life-saving. Studies show they can lower your risk of heart attack or stroke.

Get the most out of your medicines

Lipid-lowering medicines currently available that may be prescribed to lower LDL:

Statins (rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, pitavastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin)
Cholesterol absorption inhibitor (ezetimibe)
PCSK9 inhibitors (evolocumab and alirocumab)
siRNA PCSK9 inhibitor (inclisiran)
ACL inhibitor (bempedoic acid)
Bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine, colestipol, and colesevalam)

Lipid lowering medicines currently available that may be prescribed to lower triglycerides or increase HDL:

Check off the things you will do:

Take your medicines as prescribed.
Don’t stop taking your medicines, or take anything new, including supplements, unless you talk with your healthcare professional.
Ask when to take your medicines. Is it with a meal, in the morning, or at night?
To keep track, use a pill box, even if you take only one medicine. You can use an alarm or phone app to remind you when to take your medicines.
Keep an updated list of your medicines with you. Share the list with your healthcare professional at each visit.
Plan ahead for medicine refills so you don’t run out. Make a note on your calendar. You may be able to get a 90-day supply if you check with your insurance plan.
If you feel bad after taking a medicine, talk with your healthcare professional as soon as possible.

CHAPTERS

Everyday Choices

Medicine may be recommended if you:

Get the most out of your medicines

Lipid-lowering medicines currently available that may be prescribed to lower LDL:

Lipid lowering medicines currently available that may be prescribed to lower triglycerides or increase HDL:

Check off the things you will do:

Everyday Choices

Diabetes and Your Heart: Close Connections