Cholesterol-Reducing Drugs Health Article

Gemfibrozil

Studies in animals and humans suggest that gemfibrozil increases the risk of some types of cancer. The drug may also cause gallstones or muscle problems. Patients who need to take this medicine should ask their physicians for the latest information on its benefits and risks.

Patients taking gemfibrozil should check with a physician immediately if any of these side effects occur:

• fever or chills
• severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
• pain in the lower back or side
• pain or difficulty when urinating
• cough or hoarseness

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

These drugs may damage the liver or muscles. Patients who take the drugs should have blood tests to check for liver damage as often as their physician recommends. Any unexplained pain, tenderness or weakness in the muscles should be reported to the physician at once.

All cholesterol-reducing drugs

Minor side effects such as heartburn, indigestion, belching, bloating, gas, nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness and headache usually go away as the body adjusts to the drug and do not require medical treatment unless they continue or they interfere with normal activities.

Patients who have constipation while taking cholesterol-reducing drugs should bring the problem to a physician's attention as soon as possible.

Additional side effects are possible. Anyone who has unusual symptoms while taking cholesterol-reducing drugs should get in touch with his or her physician.

Interactions

Cholesterol-reducing drugs may interact with other medicines. When this happens, the effects of one or both of the drugs may change or the risk of side effects may be greater. Anyone who takes cholesterol-reducing drugs should let the physician know all other medicines he or she is taking and should ask whether the possible interactions can interfere with drug therapy. Examples of possible interactions are listed below.

Some cholesterol-reducing drugs may prevent the following medicines from working properly:

• thyroid hormones
• water pills (diuretics)
• certain antibiotics taken by mouth, such as tetracyclines, penicillin G and vancomycin
• the beta-blocker Inderal, used to treat high blood pressure
• digitalis heart medicines
• phenylbutazone, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

Taking some cholesterol-reducing drugs with blood thinners (anticoagulants) may increase the chance of bleeding.

Combining HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors with gemfibrozil, cyclosporine (Sandimmune) or niacin may cause or worsen problems with the kidneys or muscles.

BOOKS

Nesto, R. W., and L. Christensen. Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs: Everything You and Your Family Need to Know. New York: Morrow, William & Co, 2000.

Parsons, W. B. Cholesterol Control Without Diet! The Niacin Solution. Scottsdale, AZ: Lilac Press, 1998.

Nancy Ross-Flanigan

KEY TERMS

Cell—The basic unit that makes up all living tissue.

Cholesterol—Fatty substance found in tissue. Necessary to maintain a healthy body.

Enzyme—A type of protein, produced in the body, that brings about or speeds up chemical reactions.

Hormone—A substance that is produced in one part of the body, then travels through the bloodstream to another part of the body where it has its effect.

Phenylketonuria—(PKU) A genetic disorder in which the body lacks an important enzyme. If untreated, the disorder can lead to brain damage and mental retardation.

Pituitary gland—A pea-sized gland at the base of the brain that produces many hormones that affect growth and body functions.