It's Not Me, It's You
Niacin, Tricor, and Zetia can all increase the risk of skeletal muscle side effects when used in combination with this other common class of lipid medications.
Statins
Due to its mechanism of action, this class of drugs can decrease the absorption of many medications and micronutrients.
Bile acid sequestrants
Bempedoic acid and this other medication are commonly paired with a statin, either as an combination pill or as individual medications.
Ezetimibe
Injection site reactions are a side effect of these three medications.
Alirocumab (Praluent), evolocumab (Repatha), and incliciran.
Patients with PKU who have been prescribed a bile acid sequestrant should be on the lookout for this compound, found in some formulations.
Phenylalanine
Fibrates, niacin, and ezetimibe are all contraindicated in patients with dysfunction of this organ.
Liver
Intestines
Niacin can cause flushing and discomfort. This effect can be reduced by taking with food, avoiding alcohol, and taking this OTC medication 30-60 minutes before administration.
Aspirin
Bempedoic acid has this unique side effect, also caused by some antibiotics.
Tendon rupture
Patients should be counseled to stop taking this class of medications before elective surgery.
Inclisiran should not be taken alongside this class of medications, as they have similar mechanisms of action.
PCSK9 inhibitors
This class of medications decreases triglycerides by increasing the breakdown of VLDL.
Fibrates
This medication, used for heterozygous familial hypercholesteremia, must be administered by a healthcare professional.
Inclisiran
While several dyslipidemia medications are known to cause muscle and joint pain, Repatha is the only one noted to cause this specific type of discomfort.
Back pain
INR
Gemfibrozil is contraindicated in patients taking a statin, ezetimibe, or this less common diabetes medication.
Repaglinide
Despite theoretically similar mechanisms of action, the two drugs in this class have very different effects on LDL.
Omega-3-fatty acids
Prescriptions for icosapent ethyl, gemfibrozil, bile acid sequestrants, and most niacin formulations should be given this auxiliary label when dispensed.
Take with food
This medication can cause a recurrence of atrial fibrillation symptoms, especially in the first month after initiation.
Omega-3 Acid Ethyl Esters (Lovaza)
This LDL lowering medication is safe to use during pregnancy.
Cholesevelam (Welchol)
Ezetimibe and this medication, when taken together, can cause increased concentrations of both drugs.
Cyclosporine
This medication has not been shown to decrease cardiovascular risk, despite its efficacy in decreasing triglycerides and LDL.
Niacin
These two medications require a loading dose before a maintenance dose
Inclisiran and cholestyramine
This odd side effect, caused by ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, and fibrates, is nothing to cough at.
Upper respiratory tract infections
Patients should be advised to practice good oral hygiene to prevent tooth discoloration and enamel erosion when prescribed this medication.
Cholestyramine