Key takeaways<\/h2>\n\n- \n
Other HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, Colestid, Tricor, Zetia, and WelChol are presented as alternatives to atorvastatin for those who cannot tolerate it or seek different treatment options for high cholesterol.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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High cholesterol, a risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke, is often symptomless and diagnosed through regular blood work that examines LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Atorvastatin, a widely used statin since 1996, effectively lowers LDL cholesterol but may cause myopathies or increase blood sugar and the risk of diabetes in some patients.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Natural alternatives for lowering cholesterol include dietary changes, exercise, niacin, and supplements like flaxseed, red yeast rice, garlic, and turmeric, though their efficacy and safety should be discussed with a healthcare provider.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Compare atorvastatin alternatives<\/a> \u00a0| Other HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors<\/a> | Colestid<\/a> | Tricor<\/a> | Zetia<\/a> | WelChol<\/a> | Natural alternatives<\/a> | How to switch meds<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCholesterol<\/span><\/a> is a fatty substance we all need in our bodies, but we only need it in healthy amounts. The body needs cholesterol for healthy cellular structure, hormone synthesis, and nerve insulation. Too much cholesterol, however, leads to serious conditions related to <\/span>coronary heart disease<\/span> such as <\/span>heart attack<\/span> or stroke.\u00a0 High blood cholesterol, or hypercholesterolemia, is a condition where you have unhealthy levels of cholesterol typically due to genetic patterns or unhealthy lifestyle choices. Cholesterol is a waxy, <\/span>lipid<\/span> substance, comparable to candle wax, and can lead to deposits in your arteries which cause blockage. This blockage leads to <\/span>atherosclerosis<\/span> and <\/span>cardiovascular disease<\/span> if not treated. It is important for your <\/span>heart health<\/span> to have your <\/span>cholesterol levels<\/span> monitored with regular bloodwork.<\/span><\/p>\nCholesterol is carried on two types of lipoproteins through your body: <\/span>low-density lipoproteins<\/span> (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (<\/span>HDL<\/span>).\u00a0 <\/span>LDL cholesterol<\/span> is the \u201cbad\u201d cholesterol that leads to plaque build-up in the arteries. <\/span>HDL<\/span> cholesterol is the \u201cgood\u201d cholesterol that carries any fatty build-up to your liver to be flushed from the body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nTriglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body and they store the excess energy from your diet.\u00a0 When doctors check your blood lab work, they are hoping to see low levels of <\/span>LDL cholesterol<\/span> and triglycerides, and higher levels of <\/span>HDL<\/span> cholesterol. Your physician may also refer to a level known as your total cholesterol, which is a number that is reflective of both LDL and <\/span>HDL<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>High cholesterol<\/span> rarely has any symptoms, so regular blood work is the best way to screen for hypercholesterolemia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThere are many drug types that help <\/span>treat <\/span>high cholesterol<\/span> or hyperlipidemia. HMGCoA reductase inhibitors, more commonly referred to as \u201c<\/span>statins<\/span>\u201d, were first discovered in the late 1970s. They were quickly recognized as the most effective effort at lowering LDL levels. <\/span>Statin drugs<\/span> lower LDL levels by reducing hepatic cholesterol production and increasing LDL clearance from the body. The first <\/span>statin drug<\/span> to be approved to come to market by the <\/span>Food and Drug Administration<\/span> (<\/span>FDA<\/span>) was <\/span>lovastatin<\/span>, branded as Mevacor. Each <\/span>statin<\/span> that came to market in the years after would offer even more superior ability to lower LDL levels. <\/span>Atorvastatin<\/span>, branded as <\/span>Lipitor<\/span> by Pfizer, came to the market in 1996 and has since become one most widely used <\/span>statin drugs<\/span>. <\/span>Atorvastatin<\/span><\/a> can lower LDL levels between 40-60% from baseline depending upon dose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Other HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, Colestid, Tricor, Zetia, and WelChol are presented as alternatives to atorvastatin for those who cannot tolerate it or seek different treatment options for high cholesterol.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
High cholesterol, a risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke, is often symptomless and diagnosed through regular blood work that examines LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Atorvastatin, a widely used statin since 1996, effectively lowers LDL cholesterol but may cause myopathies or increase blood sugar and the risk of diabetes in some patients.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Natural alternatives for lowering cholesterol include dietary changes, exercise, niacin, and supplements like flaxseed, red yeast rice, garlic, and turmeric, though their efficacy and safety should be discussed with a healthcare provider.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Compare atorvastatin alternatives<\/a> \u00a0| Other HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors<\/a> | Colestid<\/a> | Tricor<\/a> | Zetia<\/a> | WelChol<\/a> | Natural alternatives<\/a> | How to switch meds<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Cholesterol<\/span><\/a> is a fatty substance we all need in our bodies, but we only need it in healthy amounts. The body needs cholesterol for healthy cellular structure, hormone synthesis, and nerve insulation. Too much cholesterol, however, leads to serious conditions related to <\/span>coronary heart disease<\/span> such as <\/span>heart attack<\/span> or stroke.\u00a0 High blood cholesterol, or hypercholesterolemia, is a condition where you have unhealthy levels of cholesterol typically due to genetic patterns or unhealthy lifestyle choices. Cholesterol is a waxy, <\/span>lipid<\/span> substance, comparable to candle wax, and can lead to deposits in your arteries which cause blockage. This blockage leads to <\/span>atherosclerosis<\/span> and <\/span>cardiovascular disease<\/span> if not treated. It is important for your <\/span>heart health<\/span> to have your <\/span>cholesterol levels<\/span> monitored with regular bloodwork.<\/span><\/p>\n Cholesterol is carried on two types of lipoproteins through your body: <\/span>low-density lipoproteins<\/span> (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (<\/span>HDL<\/span>).\u00a0 <\/span>LDL cholesterol<\/span> is the \u201cbad\u201d cholesterol that leads to plaque build-up in the arteries. <\/span>HDL<\/span> cholesterol is the \u201cgood\u201d cholesterol that carries any fatty build-up to your liver to be flushed from the body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body and they store the excess energy from your diet.\u00a0 When doctors check your blood lab work, they are hoping to see low levels of <\/span>LDL cholesterol<\/span> and triglycerides, and higher levels of <\/span>HDL<\/span> cholesterol. Your physician may also refer to a level known as your total cholesterol, which is a number that is reflective of both LDL and <\/span>HDL<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>High cholesterol<\/span> rarely has any symptoms, so regular blood work is the best way to screen for hypercholesterolemia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are many drug types that help <\/span>treat <\/span>high cholesterol<\/span> or hyperlipidemia. HMGCoA reductase inhibitors, more commonly referred to as \u201c<\/span>statins<\/span>\u201d, were first discovered in the late 1970s. They were quickly recognized as the most effective effort at lowering LDL levels. <\/span>Statin drugs<\/span> lower LDL levels by reducing hepatic cholesterol production and increasing LDL clearance from the body. The first <\/span>statin drug<\/span> to be approved to come to market by the <\/span>Food and Drug Administration<\/span> (<\/span>FDA<\/span>) was <\/span>lovastatin<\/span>, branded as Mevacor. Each <\/span>statin<\/span> that came to market in the years after would offer even more superior ability to lower LDL levels. <\/span>Atorvastatin<\/span>, branded as <\/span>Lipitor<\/span> by Pfizer, came to the market in 1996 and has since become one most widely used <\/span>statin drugs<\/span>. <\/span>Atorvastatin<\/span><\/a> can lower LDL levels between 40-60% from baseline depending upon dose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n