High LDL and triglycerides raise cardiovascular risk. Statins remain the first-line therapy to lower LDL and prevent events. When statins are insufficient or not tolerated, clinicians can add ezetimibe, bile-acid sequestrants, PCSK9 inhibitors, or inclisiran. Niacin is rarely used for prevention today. Lifestyle interventions - dietary soluble fiber, plant sterols, weight loss, exercise, and smoking cessation - complement medicines. Discuss supplements and treatment choices with your clinician.

Overview

Disorders of lipids and lipoproteins are common. High cholesterol can be primary (genetic) or secondary to conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, or certain medications. Elevated LDL cholesterol and triglycerides increase the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Treatment combines proven prescription medicines with diet, exercise, and other lifestyle measures.

Prescription medicines - what they do and when they help

Statins (first-line)

Statins lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Clinicians prescribe them for people with clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or with high LDL or risk levels. Common side effects include muscle symptoms and, rarely, liver enzyme changes; monitoring and dose adjustments help manage these concerns.

Ezetimibe and bile-acid sequestrants

Ezetimibe (a cholesterol absorption inhibitor) lowers LDL and has shown outcome benefit when added to statin therapy in selected patients. Bile-acid sequestrants (cholestyramine, colesevelam) bind cholesterol in the gut and lower LDL; they are options when statins are not tolerated or need support.

PCSK9 inhibitors and inclisiran

Monoclonal antibodies that block PCSK9 (evolocumab, alirocumab) and the siRNA therapy inclisiran offer potent LDL lowering and are used for high-risk patients who need additional LDL reduction despite statins. These are typically given by injection and used under specialist guidance.

Niacin, fibrates, and prescription omega-3s

Niacin (vitamin B3) lowers triglycerides and can raise HDL but is no longer routinely recommended for cardiovascular prevention because additional outcome benefits are minimal and side effects are common. Fibrates remain useful for very high triglycerides to reduce pancreatitis risk. A prescription omega-3 medication (icosapent ethyl) has been shown to reduce cardiovascular events in selected patients with elevated triglycerides on statin therapy.

Natural approaches and lifestyle measures

Diet, weight management, physical activity, and smoking cessation are central to managing cholesterol. Soluble fiber (oats, psyllium), nuts, legumes, fatty fish, and plant sterols/stanols help lower LDL modestly. The Mediterranean-style dietary pattern shows consistent cardiovascular benefit.

Some herbal products and teas (for example, garlic or certain Chinese teas) have limited or mixed evidence for cholesterol lowering. Use supplements cautiously and discuss them with your clinician because of variable potency and potential drug interactions.

Practical approach

Work with your clinician to assess cardiovascular risk, set LDL targets, and choose therapies. For many people, a statin plus lifestyle change is the foundation. Add-on therapies (ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, inclisiran, fibrates, or prescription omega-3) are options when risk or residual lipid abnormalities justify them.

Combining evidence-based medicines with diet, regular exercise, and smoking cessation gives the best chance to lower cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular events.

FAQs about Cholesterol Medicine

Are statins safe?
Statins are well studied and reduce heart attacks and strokes. Most people tolerate them well; muscle symptoms and liver enzyme changes occur in a minority and can often be managed by adjusting the dose or switching agents.
Should I take niacin to raise HDL?
Niacin can raise HDL, but trials did not show extra cardiovascular benefit when added to statins and side effects are common. It is no longer routinely recommended for prevention.
Can diet and supplements replace medicines?
Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, weight loss, quitting smoking) significantly affect lipids and cardiovascular risk and are essential for everyone, but they may not replace medicines for people at high risk or with very high LDL.
Do herbal teas or garlic meaningfully lower cholesterol?
Some foods and teas have small effects on cholesterol, but evidence is limited and inconsistent. Use such remedies only as complementary measures and discuss them with your clinician due to possible interactions.

News about Cholesterol Medicine

New Drug Lowers 'Bad' Cholesterol by 58% in Clinical Trial - ScienceAlert [Visit Site | Read More]

Over 140,000 bottles of cholesterol medication recalled. See affected products. - USA Today [Visit Site | Read More]

New Pill From Merck Could Slash Cholesterol Levels, Trials Show - The New York Times [Visit Site | Read More]

Harmful cholesterol levels cut in half with one-time gene editing drug in early trial - NBC News [Visit Site | Read More]

Popular cholesterol drugs may help prevent dementia - ScienceDaily [Visit Site | Read More]

Amgen cholesterol drug cuts risk of first cardiac event by 25% - Reuters [Visit Site | Read More]

Check your cabinets: More than 140,000 bottles of cholesterol medication part of elevated recall over health risk - The Independent [Visit Site | Read More]

FDA Announces Nationwide Recall of Cholesterol Medication—More Than 140,000 Bottles Affected - Health: Trusted and Empathetic Health and Wellness Information [Visit Site | Read More]