Brand & Generic
This statin is marketed under the brand name Lipitor.
What is atorvastatin?
What drug class does Zocor belong to?
What are statins(HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)?
Patients taking statins should report this type of unexplained pain in their muscles.
What is muscle pain (myalgia)?
This type of cholesterol is considered “bad” because it contributes to plaque buildup in arteries.
What is LDL?
This common side effect of niacin causes warmth and redness of the face and neck.
What is flushing?
This statin, known as Crestor, has fewer grapefruit interactions compared to others in its class.
What is rosuvastatin?
These drugs lower cholesterol by preventing absorption in the intestine, such as ezetimibe.
What are cholesterol absorption inhibitors?
These lab tests are monitored to ensure statins do not harm the liver.
What are liver function tests (LFTs)?
These blood fats are elevated in people at risk for heart disease and can be lowered with fibrates.
What are triglycerides?
This food interaction can increase the risk of statin-related muscle toxicity.
What is grapefruit (or grapefruit juice)?
This fibrate is marketed under the brand name Lopid.
What is gemfibrozil?
Niacin belongs to this vitamin-derived class that can both lower LDL and raise HDL.
What are nicotinic acid products?
How should injectable cholesterol medications be stored?
Refrigerated
These drugs lower cholesterol by trapping it in the gastrointestinal tract and removing it through the feces.
What are bile acid sequestrants and cholesterol absorption inhibitors?
Taking fish oil with this anticoagulant increases the risk of bleeding.
What is warfarin?
This injectable PCSK9 inhibitor is marketed as Repatha.
What is evolocumab?
Statins, fibrates, nicotinic acid products, and bile acid sequestrants all belong to this therapeutic category.
What are dyslipidemia medications?
This strategy can help reduce niacin-induced flushing when taken before the dose.
What is taking aspirin (before niacin)?
High cholesterol over time can cause this problem in arteries that may lead to heart attacks.
What is plaque buildup (atherosclerosis)?
This rare but serious condition involves muscle breakdown and can occur with cholesterol medications.
What is rhabdomyolysis?
This combination product contains a statin and a cholesterol absorption inhibitor and is sold as Vytorin.
What is ezetimibe/simvastatin?
These medications are sometimes given as powders or suspensions to trap cholesterol in the gut.
What are bile acid sequestrants?
These medications must be taken separately from other oral drugs due to reduced absorption.
What are bile acid sequestrants?
These drug classes lower triglycerides and LDL by preventing their formation in the liver.
What are fibrates, statins, and PCSK9 inhibitors?
Patients with fish or shellfish allergies should use this class of cholesterol-lowering agents with caution.
What are fish oil products (omega-3 fatty acids)?