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Archive for the ‘Cholesterol Medications’ Category

While most prescription medicines have the potential to cause side effects, prescription cholesterol medications are dangerous and potentially fatal. Zocor side effects, as well as Lipitor, and a whole host of other statin side effects, are serious and should never be ignored.

For people who are taking Zocor, a common negative effect that occurs in anyone who takes it is constipation.

Understanding the different Zocor side effects is important to ensure you stay safe.

Negative effects include muscle problems that can turn into a rare and very serious condition called rhabdomyolysis. If you experience this symptom, please do not hesitate to inform your doctor about it immediately.

Other Zocor side effects include the following:

* muscle pain
* weakening of the muscles
* tenderness of the muscles (especially when accompanied by fever and unusual tiredness)
* change in urine amount

You should report all of these to your doctor to get their opinion and advice on them, and to discuss safer alternatives.

Zocor can cause liver problems, and you should consult your doctor, if you experience any of the following potential major Zocor side effects, such as yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark-coloured urine, severe stomach or abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

This drug can cause rare cases of serious allergic reactions. Therefore, you are strongly advised to report to your doctor at once if you notice any of the following:

* skin rashes
* hives
* itching
* swelling of the face, tongue, and throat
* dizziness
* breathing difficulties

Other Zocor side effects include tightness in the chest, pale stools, and reddish, swollen, and blistered skin.

You must remember that is not a complete list of the different negative effects that can be encountered once you take Zocor medication.

If you notice other negative effects that are not included in the list above, call or visit your doctor immediately. You may also ask your pharmacist about any occurrences you think could be one of the Zocor side effects.

What really matters most is that when you feel any negative effects, seek medical attention right away especially when they are severe and due to Zocor intake.

There is a much safer, healthier alternative to taking Zocor, or indeed any statin medication, and that is a natural cholesterol supplement. The right supplement, with select natural ingredients, will keep you side effect free, and lower high cholesterol.

Statins like Zocor only focus on LDL cholesterol and ignore HDL cholesterol, which keeps you at risk of heart disease, unlike natural cholesterol supplements that treat the whole of cholesterol.

Other additional benefits of going natural include dissolving gall stones and protection against some forms of cancer.

Sometimes, changing your diet, exercising and taking positive steps toward reducing your cholesterol just isn’t enough. Sometimes it is necessary to take a medication to help. The decision to prescribe medication is usually based on the levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood, particularly high levels. There are several kinds of medications that are used for reducing high cholesterol.

Staitins

This class of drug lowers low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. It accomplishes this more effectively than other classes of drugs. Staitins inhibit the enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase. It is this enzyme that controls the rate at which cholesterol is produced in the body. These medications also enhance the liver’s function in removing low density lipoprotein cholesterol that is in the blood.

Niacin

Niacin, a B vitamin, can lower triglycerides as well as low density lipoprotein levels when administered in high doses. It can also increase the HDL levels.

Bile Acid Sequestrants

Bile acid sequestrats bind with bile acids, which contain cholesterol, in the intestines. They are then eliminated in the stool. Typically, this class of drugs can lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol considerably, by 10% or as much as 20%. When given in small doses these drugs can reduce the levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol considerably. Sometimes they are prescribed along with a staitin to increase the reduction of cholesterol.

Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors

This class of drug is relatively new. It inhibits the absorption of cholesterol in the gut and has very few side effects. In fact, many patients report no side effects from this drug. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors can reduce the LDL cholesterol by as much as 18% to 20%. It is generally prescribed to people who are not able to take staitins. It may also be given to people who take staitins in small doses but are bothered with side effects when the dose is increased. Taking this type of drug along with taking staitins can significantly increase the effectiveness and cholesterol reducing properties.

Fibrates

This type of drug is mostly effective in reducing triglycerides. It can also slightly increasing HDL cholesterol levels. The primary drugs in this class are not necessarily effective in lowering LDL cholesterol. They are generally used to lower triglycerides and sometimes increasing the HDL cholesterol levels.

Even with the medications it is still necessary to maintain a sensible diet that incorporates fresh fruits and vegetables, beans and legumes and grains. You should also cut back on foods high in saturated fat such as meat and poultry. Eggs are also a high cholesterol culprit so it is wise to limit your egg consumption to four a week. Include fish in your diet twice a week. Get regular exercise at least three times a week for thirty minutes at a time.

Other things that you can do to reduce your cholesterol levels include stopping smoking, losing weight and getting proper rest. You should also get regular health checkups. Know your target cholesterol level and know where you stand in your quest to reach that target. It takes discipline and perseverance to take the steps requires to lower your cholesterol level, but this is for your health. It’s worth it.

How much does statins lower cholesterol? It is a common question to ask before you decide to go on medications to lower the levels of cholesterol. Statins are a very popular drug that is prescribed for this problem and studies do show that they can lower levels and help to reduce heart attack risks.

There are a variety of different statins out there, including Zocor, Mevacor, Lipitor, Crestor, and many others. The big questions is, are these drugs really giving you the results that you want? Here is a closer look at this medication to help you decide if they are a good choice for you.

The Benefits they Offer

First, it is a good idea to take a look at the benefits that these medications have to offer. While most people think of them as drugs that merely help to improve levels of blood cholesterol, you will find that they do a lot more than that. Statins work to help reduce the amount of plaque that is in arteries, it helps to reduce levels of CRP, decreases the formation of blood clots, helps with inflammation reduction, and also helps to improve the overall function of the vascular system. Some studies have shown that these medications may also help to reduce blood pressure, help those with diabetes, and prevent cataracts from occurring as well.

About the Side Effects

Of course, although these prescription drugs have some benefits, it is a good idea to look at the side effects and how much does statins lower cholesterol before you make up your mind that they are right for you. When it comes to negative effects, gastrointestinal side effects are the most common. This often includes problems like gas, stomach upset, and nausea. Some of the other negative effects that can occur include rash, sleeping problems, headaches, and feeling dizzy. A certain muscle disorder can be caused in rare cases as well. There have been a few reports of these medications causing cognitive side effects as well. With so many negative effects, you may want to consider going for a more natural route before you try out these statins.

Do They Lower Cholesterol?

Now that you understand the benefits as well as the negative effects, let us take a look at how much does statins lower cholesterol. Well, studies show that these medications do significantly lower your levels of cholesterol. In many cases, they lower levels up to 30%, although this can vary from person to person. Of course, the question is, is it worth dealing with all the side effects that you can experience with these medications. This is a decision you will have to make on your own.

In the end, you may want to look at other ways that you can lower your levels of cholesterol. There are many natural options that are available to you, including exercise, changing your diet, and taking supplements that are known to lower bad cholesterol levels.

Finally, how much does statins lower cholesterol? Well, they do lower your levels, but if you can avoid medications and go with a natural treatment, you are less likely to deal with negative side effects.

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