Cholesterol is a fat found in your blood. It’s produced by your liver and found in foods from animal sources, such as meat, poultry, and full-fat dairy products.

Your body needs some cholesterol to ensure organs grow and function properly. However, too much cholesterol in the blood can clog the arteries and lead to severe health conditions.

Making health-promoting eating choices and increasing exercise are usually the first steps in improving your cholesterol levels. Nevertheless, diet and lifestyle adjustments alone may prove ineffective for some. In these cases, doctors may recommend using medications to lower LDL cholesterol.

In this article, you’ll find a breakdown of some of the drugs used to treat high cholesterol and supplements you can consider taking.

HDL vs. LDL

There are two main types of cholesterol:

HDL cholesterol is considered the “good” type of cholesterol. It helps remove cholesterol from your blood vessels and carries it back to the liver, eliminating the excess cholesterol from your body.

On the other hand, LDL is considered the “bad” type of cholesterol. It can cling to the blood vessels and block blood flow. This blockage makes the heart work much harder than it should. People with high LDL levels are therefore at an increased risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. This is why it’s critical to lower the amount of LDL in your blood if you have high cholesterol.

If changing your eating and exercise habits isn’t enough, your doctor may consider prescribing a cholesterol medication for you. Let’s look at each of these medications in more detail.

Statins are the most commonly prescribed cholesterol medications. They decrease the production of cholesterol in the liver, which helps your body remove excess cholesterol from your blood.

In general, statins are very effective at lowering LDL cholesterol levels. These medications have been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Examples of statins include:

  • atorvastatin (Lipitor)
  • fluvastatin (Lescol)
  • lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor)
  • pitavastatin (Livalo)
  • pravastatin (Pravachol)
  • rosuvastatin (Crestor)
  • simvastatin (Zocor)

Statins can also be found in medications that combine other cholesterol-lowering drugs for additional benefits. These include:

  • simvastatin with ezetimibe (Vytorin)
  • atorvastatin with amlodipine (Caduet)

Side effects

Side effects of statins may include:

  • muscle pain
  • weakness
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • gas
  • headache
  • upset stomach

Severe side effects are rare. They can include:

  • muscle damage
  • liver damage
  • new-onset type 2 diabetes

Risks

If you have liver disease or damage, your doctor may recommend a lower dose of statins or prescribe a different cholesterol medication.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), you should not take statins while pregnant or breastfeeding or chestfeeding. You should also avoid eating or drinking grapefruit while taking some statin medications.

Bile acid sequestrants help your body dispose of LDL cholesterol. They’re usually used in combination with statins.

Your body uses cholesterol to create bile, which is needed to digest food. Bile acid sequestrants bind to bile and prevent it from being used for digestion.

Your body responds by making even more bile, which requires taking cholesterol from the blood. The more bile you make, the more cholesterol your body uses. This lowers the amount of cholesterol in your bloodstream.

Examples of bile acid sequestrants include:

  • cholestyramine (Locholest, Prevalite, and Questran)
  • colesevelam (Welchol)
  • colestipol (Colestid)

Side effects

Side effects may include:

  • constipation
  • gas
  • indigestion
  • hemorrhoids

Risks

People with gallbladder or other gastrointestinal problems should avoid using these medications. Those with high triglycerides should also avoid bile acid sequestrants.

Bile acid sequestrants can affect vitamin absorption and potentially lead to deficiencies. If you are taking any other medications, a doctor will discuss how to time your medications so that bile acid sequestrants do not affect the absorption of other drugs.

Cholesterol absorption inhibitors help lower LDL cholesterol by preventing its absorption by the intestines. They appear to have a modest effect on boosting HDL (“good”) cholesterol as well.

Ezetimibe (Zetia) is the first available treatment from this class of drugs. According to the American Heart Association, it’s the second most commonly used cholesterol-lowering medication after statins in the United States.

Ezetimibe can be used to lower cholesterol in combination with statins. It can also be taken on its own for modest reductions in LDL.

Side effects

Side effects may include:

  • stomach pain
  • gas
  • diarrhea
  • fatigue

Risks

In rare cases, ezetimibe may cause problems with your muscles, liver, or pancreas.

People with liver disease shouldn’t take this medication. If you develop yellowed skin or whites of the eyes, known as jaundice, or other symptoms of liver problems, it’s important to contact your doctor immediately.

Prescription-strength niacin, also known as vitamin B3, may help improve cholesterol by boosting HDL and lowering LDL and triglyceride levels. It may raise HDL levels by as much as 35 percent.

Although you can buy niacin without a prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) doses aren’t effective in treating high cholesterol. Due to side effects, niacin is now usually reserved for those who can’t tolerate statin therapy.

Examples of prescription-strength niacin include:

  • Niacor
  • Niaspan
  • Slo-Niacin

Side effects

Side effects may include:

  • skin flushing
  • fatigue
  • nausea
  • abdominal pain
  • heartburn
  • blurred vision
  • dizziness
  • low blood pressure

Risks

Liver damage is possible when taking prescription-strength niacin.

Niacin isn’t usually recommended for people with particular health issues. It may not be suitable for gastrointestinal issues because it can cause ulcers. In addition, people with diabetes should avoid taking niacin, as the medication may increase blood sugar levels.

PCSK9 inhibitors are monoclonal antibodies, a type of biologic drug. Two medications of this type are available in the United States:

  • alirocumab (Praluent)
  • evolocumab (Repatha)

Both are medications that need to be injected every 2 to 4 weeks.

They help lower cholesterol by inactivating a protein that usually prevents your body from clearing cholesterol from your blood. When the protein is inactivated, your liver can remove more cholesterol. As a result, cholesterol levels drop.

Studies show that both PCSK9 inhibitors are effective in lowering cholesterol levels and improving cardiovascular health.

Because these medications are very expensive, they are usually considered when other treatments are not lowering cholesterol enough.

Side effects

PCSK9 inhibitors can also cause side effects in some people, including:

  • bruising or discomfort at the injection site
  • the common cold

A small number of people have reported cognitive issues while taking these drugs, but it’s not yet clear whether there is a connection.

Risks

In rare cases, some people may have allergic reactions to PCSK9 inhibitors.

Those with a latex allergy may need to take extra caution when using evolocumab.

ACL inhibitors work by blocking an enzyme that your liver usually needs to make cholesterol. When your liver produces less cholesterol, it removes more cholesterol from your blood.

Bempedoic acid (Nexletol), approved in 2020, is the first ACL inhibitor drug. It is also available as a combination medication with ezetimibe (Nexlizet).

ACL inhibitors are usually taken alongside other medications to help lower cholesterol more effectively. They may also be used by people who are unable to take statins.

Side effects

Side effects may include:

Risks

In clinical trials, some people had abnormal blood test results, such as decreased platelets, leukocytes, or hemoglobin.

You may be at higher risk of rupturing a tendon while taking ACL inhibitors, so those with a history of tendon ruptures should avoid this drug class.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited condition that causes high cholesterol. Those with this condition are usually prescribed statins, ezetimibe, and additional medications to effectively lower their cholesterol.

Medications to treat this condition include:

  • lomitapide (Juxtapid)
  • evinacumab (Evkeeza)

In addition, a new medication called inclisiran (Leqvio) was approved by the FDA in 2021. It’s also approved to treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

Side effects

Each medication may result in different side effects. For example:

  • lomitapide commonly causes gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
  • incliseran may cause pain at the injection site or in the limbs, joint stiffness, urinary tract infection, diarrhea, and lung and breathing problems

Risks

Each medication has different risks. For example:

  • lomitapide can cause liver toxicity, so regular liver function tests are required while taking this drug
  • evinacumab can cause anaphylaxis, a life threatening allergic reaction, and can harm the fetus during pregnancy

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding or chestfeeding, or have other health conditions, it’s always best to talk with a doctor to determine which medications are safe for you to use.

Fibrates are mainly used to lower triglycerides but can also lower LDL slightly. Examples of fibrates include:

  • clofibrate (Atromid-S)
  • gemfibrozil (Lopid)
  • fenofibrate (Antara, Lofibra, and Triglide)

Side effects

Side effects may include:

  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • stomach pain
  • back pain

Risks

Fibrates can affect liver functioning. People with kidney problems, gallbladder disease, or liver disease shouldn’t use fibrates. They are not recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding or chestfeeding.

When taken with statins, fibrates may increase the chance of muscle problems.

Prescription-strength omega-3 fatty acids can be used to treat very high blood triglycerides (above 500 ml/dL). Omega-3 fatty acids are also available as supplements but in lower doses.

Prescription options include:

  • Lovaza
  • Vascepa
  • Epanova
  • Omtryg

Side effects

Side effects may include:

  • fishy taste in mouth
  • burping
  • joint stiffness
  • upset stomach
  • diarrhea

Risks

Omega-3s can increase the risk of bleeding, so they aren’t recommended for those taking blood thinners. High doses of omega-3s can also affect immune function.

Prescription omega-3s are usually sourced from fish. If you have a seafood allergy, talk with a doctor about potential risks.

People who are pregnant or breastfeeding or chestfeeding should not take prescription omega-3s.

The most important information about taking your cholesterol medication comes from a doctor and pharmacist. Be sure to follow their instructions carefully.

To help get the best results from your cholesterol medication:

  • Tell your healthcare team about any other medications or supplements you are taking. Some medications or supplements can cause side effects or other problems if taken together.
  • Take your medication at the same time every day, as directed by your doctor. Continue to take your medication even if you are feeling well.
  • Use a pill container to organize your medication. That way, you can easily see whether you’ve already taken a dose. Set a reminder to refill your pill container at the same time each week.
  • When traveling, keep your medications with you in your carry-on bag. Bring enough medication for the days of your trip and a few extra days in case you’re delayed.
  • If medication cost is a concern, talk with your doctor about cost assistance options.
  • If you notice side effects, contact your doctor. They may be able to adjust your treatment plan or change your medication to help you feel better.

Questions to ask a doctor or pharmacist include:

  • When should I take this medication? Some medications may work best if taken at a particular time of day. For example, it’s usually recommended to take simvastatin at bedtime.
  • Should I take this medication with food? If so, you may find it helpful to take the medication at mealtime, for example, with your dinner.
  • Are there any foods or drinks I need to avoid? For example, it’s best to avoid grapefruit if you are taking particular statin medications.

If you drink alcohol, ask whether you should limit or avoid drinking. Alcohol may increase some side effects, and make some medications less effective.

Several OTC supplements appear to have the ability to lower cholesterol levels. There’s some evidence to suggest that plant stenols and sterols, soluble fiber, garlic, and red yeast rice could have mild to moderate cholesterol-lowering effects.

Alongside these potential benefits, supplements can also come with some side effects and risks.

Be sure to consult with a doctor before adding any supplements to your routine. Continue to take your prescription medications as directed by your doctor. Always talk with your doctor before changing when or how you take your medications.

Keep in mind that supplements are not intended to replace any prescribed medications.

Plant sterols and stenols

Plant sterols and stenols can reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed by your body. They’re found in many plant foods in small amounts. Larger amounts are found in plant sterol and stenol-fortified foods, including:

  • orange juice
  • yogurt
  • margarine

Usually, two servings of a fortified food will provide the FDA-recommended amount of plant stenols or sterols each day.

Plant stenols and sterols are thought to be able to reduce cholesterol by as much as 8 to 12 percent. But more evidence is needed to understand their long-term safety and efficacy.

Side effects can include diarrhea and fat in the stool.

Soluble fiber

Soluble fiber can be found in high amounts in specific plant foods such as oats and barley or supplements such as psyllium husk.

Eating soluble fiber may also help lower cholesterol by 5 to 15 percent, an amount that can reduce your cardiovascular risk. It’s also known to have digestive and metabolic benefits.

To potentially lower your cholesterol, the FDA advises that you need to consume a specific amount of soluble fiber each day. The recommended amount is different depending on the source of the fiber. The FDA-recommended amounts are:

Soluble fiber sourceDaily recommended amount to lower cholesterol
Psyllium husk7 grams or more
Whole oats and barley3 grams or more

It’s possible to have digestive problems or allergic reactions when taking soluble fiber.

Garlic

Garlic is a strong-scented vegetable used to flavor cooking in many cuisines. Along with flavor, garlic offers a concentrated dose of nutrients that are being investigated for cancer prevention and other health benefits.

More evidence is still needed, but garlic may have a mild to moderate cholesterol-lowering effect, according to a 2016 study.

In addition to cooking with fresh garlic, you can consider supplements such as garlic powder, garlic oil, and garlic extract. Garlic supplements do have some potential side effects, which include:

  • breath and body odors
  • drug interactions
  • increased risk of bleeding
  • stomach problems

Red yeast rice

Red yeast rice is a fermented rice product. It has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, and it’s also available as an OTC supplement.

It contains monacolin K, which is identical to the active ingredient in the prescription medication lovastatin. Red yeast rice products with high amounts of monacolin K have been shown to be effective at lowering cholesterol.

In the United States, red yeast rice dietary supplements are not legally allowed to contain monacolin K, although some products are available that do contain it. It’s not clear whether products without monacolin K have any cholesterol-lowering effects.

The amount of monacolin K in red yeast rice can differ from product to product. Some preparations may contain a high amount of monacolin K, while others may contain very little or none.

Red yeast rice products containing monacolin K come with the same side effects, drug interactions, and risks as lovastatin, such as liver injury and muscle problems.

A toxic substance called citrinin that can cause kidney damage has been found in some red yeast rice products.

In most cases, prescription cholesterol medications can lower cholesterol without causing severe side effects. But the effectiveness of each medication varies from person to person. You and a doctor will need to determine which type is right for you.

Tell a doctor about any other medications you’re taking, as certain drugs can interfere with the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering medicines. The same is true for OTC supplements. So, be sure to inform your doctor about any supplements you may be taking, too.

Once you’ve received your prescription, it’s important to take your medication exactly as directed. Let a doctor know if you experience any side effects. They can switch you to another medication or reduce your dosage. Do not stop your medication unless a doctor instructs you to stop.

If you’re considering starting a supplement to lower your cholesterol, talk with a doctor first. It’s important to know that the FDA does not monitor OTC supplements in the same way as prescription medications. So, it may be hard to know exactly what you are purchasing in some cases.