Lipitor Alternatives For Lowering Cholesterol

Having high cholesterol puts you at high risk for a life-threatening cardiovascular event. Therefore, it is extremely important to have your levels checked and to follow a treatment plan that helps you bring down your levels.

The best treatment for high cholesterol depends on a variety of factors. Before your health care specialist recommends a prescription drug, he/she needs to consider several things, including your medical history, risk of heart problems, and your lifestyle habits. Health experts across the world initially prefer recommending diet changes and exercise. If lifestyle changes are not enough to bring your levels back to normal, you might prescribe medication to help the process along. Lipitor is one of the most widely used statin drugs that effectively treat elevated total cholesterol levels, bad cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. It is especially beneficial for those who did not get a response to diet, lifestyle changes, or other medication. Besides, Lipitor reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular issues such as heart attack and stroke in individuals with type 2 diabetes having certain heart risk factors. The medicine is one of the more potent statins available on the market. Statins are commonly prescribed for controlling rising levels when treating blood cholesterol, but these medicines might not be suitable for everyone. Although most people benefit from Lipitor or statin drugs, these medications can have side effects. The most serious ones affect those people who are taking other medications or who are already suffering from a medical condition. Other medicinal treatment options for high cholesterol include other medicines and lifestyle modifications. 

What are the alternatives for Statins?

Cholesterol absorption inhibitors- If statins are not a treatment option or you experience adverse effects, your health care provider can prescribe another cholesterol-lowering agent, such as a common alternative- cholesterol inhibitor. These medicines prevent your small intestine from absorbing the cholesterol you consume and stop it from reaching the bloodstream. Ezetimibe is a drug that can be combined with statins to control cholesterol levels rapidly. However, a lot of healthcare professionals often prescribe this drug alone and combine it with a low-fat diet to lower cholesterol.

Sequestrants- Another option for reducing cholesterol is a bile acid sequestrant that helps to lower bad cholesterol or LDL. Accumulation of cholesterol over the walls of your arteries may narrow or block them. This, in turn, results in cardiovascular health problems, including strokes and heart attacks.  These are older treatment options for elevated total cholesterol levels and are not as effective as other medications, so they are mostly used by those who have slightly higher than normal cholesterol levels. These drugs may give rise to vitamin deficiencies when consumed longer. According to health experts, a deficiency of vitamin K is especially dangerous. Vitamin K helps stop bleeding.

PCSK9 inhibitors—Like statins, PCSK9 effectively treats high cholesterol levels. These medicines lower the number of LDL receptors in the body, reducing cholesterol levels. They are an ideal alternative to those who cannot take statins. 

Medicines to reduce high triglycerides

A lot of people with high cholesterol levels tend to develop elevated triglyceride levels. Some medications are effective enough in this type of fat. Once you can bring down these levels, the total cholesterol reduces automatically. Niacin or vitamin B3 supplements are often recommended for high triglycerides. This might be a good treatment option for those who do not respond well to other medications. Some people require an aggressive treatment to treat high triglycerides, which includes the use of fibrates. Also, omega-3 fatty acids can be used as a dietary supplement. It is found in oily fish such as salmon or mackerel and has been shown to cause a significant reduction in triglyceride levels.

Lifestyle Modifications

You can make certain lifestyle modifications to help lower your blood cholesterol. These often play a crucial role in treating high cholesterol. Start by losing excess weight, exercising regularly, and eating heart-healthy foods. The first thing one should do when deciding on the best treatment for high cholesterol is to speak with a doctor. Diet restrictions and physical activities may help to a great extent if statins are causing you side effects. Once you begin a medicinal treatment, speak to your doctor. Your doctor can advise if you need any changes to your dosing regimen.