Pfizer widens Lipitor recall

October 31, 2010 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

Drugmaker Pfizer has decided to recall bottles of its anti-cholesterol medicine, Lipitor, due to a mouldy smell in some bottles.

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What You Need To Know About Cholesterol Drugs And Medications

May 26, 2010 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

It is extremely important to educate ourselves before using any kinds of drugs or medications for any kind of illness or medical problems, especially if it something as serious as high cholesterol. This is because it can turn out to be fatal if neglected. That is why we should learn more about drugs and medications used to treat high cholesterol.


Cholesterol is a waxy, fat like substance which is found in our cells and blood stream. Cholesterol is important for our body because it produces hormones and cell membranes. Our body needs some cholesterol to function. However, too much cholesterol will clog our arteries and cause coronary heart disease. This can in turn lead to a heart attack.


Although our body produces the cholesterol it needs, we also accumulate it through our intake of food products which contains it such as: egg yolks, poultry, butter, cheese and whole milk. There are two types of cholesterol which are: the LDL or low-density lipoprotein, which is the bad cholesterol and HDL or high-density cholesterol, which is the good cholesterol. When our bad cholesterol level is high, we must do everything we can to lower it, including the use of drugs and medications.


Choosing The Right Cholesterol Drug


Many cholesterol drugs are now available on the market. Although some of these drugs can be obtained over the counter, you need to consult your doctor before you purchase and start taking any cholesterol medication.


Some cholesterol drugs may have serious side effects which may do you more harm than good. Your doctor is the only person who can advise you which cholesterol drug is best for you since he is the only one who knows your medical history, your state of health and which cholesterol medicine is suitable for you.


One of the types of drugs your doctor prescribe for cholesterol medication could be the statin drug. This drug is known be effective in reducing cholesterol levels. Your doctor may also prescribe an enzyme supplement with the statin drugs because your body will need more of a certain type of enzyme when taking statin drugs.


Another type of drug your doctor may prescribe is a bile acid sequestrate. It will help control bile acids that are secreted in the liver and gall bladder. It will travel through the intestine and softens fatty material in food, helping it become absorbed in a better way through your system.


Non Medical Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol


Besides taking cholesterol medications, you can try other non medical ways to lower your cholesterol. You can lower your cholesterol levels by modifying your diet and start taking only low or no cholesterol foods. Avoid trans and saturated fats from your diet as they are the main causes that raise your bad cholesterol level.


Besides modifying your diet, you should also increase your physical activities. Remember to exercise regularly, as it will not only help you lose weight, but lower your cholesterol level too.


Taking The Right Cholesterol Medication


If your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from high cholesterol levels after a series of tests, he may prescribe a cholesterol medication to help you lower your cholesterol levels and achieve a normal and healthier cholesterol level. Your doctor may also suggest that you make some lifestyle changes, altering the way you live your life and modifying the food you eat to help you achieve normal cholesterol levels quickly. If you take the right medication and make the right lifestyle changes as your doctor advises you, you should be able to achieve a healthy cholesterol level within a short period of time.


You should also be aware that cholesterol medication can be quite expensive. Remember that it can have many side effects that may cause problems for you. That is why you should always consult a doctor before you take any kind of cholesterol medications.


Stop taking any cholesterol medication if you are concerned about a side effect that occurs after taking it. Always consult your doctor should this occur and inform him of the side effects so that he can advise you if you have to discontinue the medication. Also remember that it is important to follow all the instructions on the medication because improperly taking any medication can cause serious problems for you.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit Cholesterol Lowering Food to learn more about low cholesterol food and other high cholesterol diet.

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Guide Of Choosing The Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

January 12, 2010 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

What Cholesterol is and why it is so Important

Cholesterol is a waxy, greasy like substance that our body needs in order to produce a number of hormones and cell membrane. There are two types of cholesterol, the good and bad cholesterol. While the good cholesterol is accountable for the proper functioning of our body, the bad cholesterol will lead you to have heart related diseases like coronary heart attack.

Today’s normal diet contributes to problems with high cholesterol. High cholesterol contributes to problems with heart disease and can lead to heart attacks. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs in your liver, and this cholesterol will help make and maintain cells, insulate nerves and produce hormones, and even helps your body to digest fat. The cholesterol you don’t need comes from your food.

Controlling Your Cholesterol

In order to control cholesterol you need to know what the correct levels are you should have at first: a minimum of 40mg/dL or more for the good cholesterol and bad cholesterol should not over 200mg/dL. One thing you should know that cholesterol is not measured depending on your body weight through if your body weight is over the normal levels you may be at risk if you have a high bad cholesterol levels.

You are able to purchase a cholesterol lowering drug over the counter, and then there are some that can only be administered through a prescription by doctor because of their side effects. It is highly suggested that before you even consider taking any type of drug that you should consult your physician first so that they can help you to decide on which cholesterol lowering drug is best for you.

How Cholesterol Medicine Works

Different types of cholesterol medicine are very helpful combined with diet and exercise to lower your cholesterol. Most types of cholesterol medicine are: niacin, statins, bile-acid resins or fibric acid derivatives. Statins is to block the production of cholesterol in your liver; bad cholesterol and triglycerides are then reduced and good cholesterol can be increased a bit.

If you require cholesterol medicine, your doctor may prescribe a statin. Your doctor will then watch for such side effects such as intestinal problems and liver damage. A small handful of people can suffer muscle tenderness.

Niacin, aka nicotinic acid, is a B-vitamin. This cholesterol medicine is a natural ingredient in food and is also added to some manufactured foods. Higher doses can be prescribed. Niacin lowers bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol. Side effects such as flushing, itching, tingling and headache may happen. Bile-acid resins work within the intestine.

Bile is largely composed of cholesterol. Ideally, your body should make good cholesterol, integrate it into the bile which travels into the intestine and is reabsorbed for distribution throughout your bloodstream. Bile-acid resins bind to bile to prevent its reabsorption. Side effects like constipation, gas and stomach upset may be encountered. Fibrates limit production of triglycerides and can help increase good cholesterol.

All cholesterol medicine has side effects such as digestive problems, allergic reactions and muscle aches. The most dangerous side effect of cholesterol medicine is signalled by muscle aches. You shouldn’t take more than one kind of cholesterol medicine at a time or take them with anticoagulants. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can hinder with the metabolization of cholesterol medicine. Over the long term, effective cholesterol medicine can help you maintain a healthy life.

Taking The Right Cholesterol Medication

If you have determined that you have high cholesterol through a doctor, you may want cholesterol medication to help lower your cholesterol levels back to a normal or healthier level. Your physician, along with suggesting a cholesterol medication, should also advise that you make some lifestyle choices that will change the way you live your life and the food you eat to help mould it to a better and healthier environment for your cholesterol levels. With the right medication and the right lifestyle changes, you should be able to get back to a reasonable level of health in a period of time.

The thing to know about cholesterol medication is that it can be quite costly. It can also feature a host of side effects that may be difficult, so always consult a doctor before you take any sort of medication. Do not continue taking medication if you observed a side effect. Consult with your doctor at once and you should stop your medication for any reason. It is important to also follow all of the information on the medication itself so that you can prevent any problems that may arise from improperly taking your medication.

Other Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol

Most foods that we eat everyday contain cholesterol such as, poultry, meats, eggs, butter and milk. The trick to eat all those items and still keep your cholesterol levels low is to minimize your quantities. Once you require taking a cholesterol lowering drug, you need to watch your diet closer and take necessary measures not to reach in an emergency situation.

Author: Cindy Heller
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Creditcard Currency Conversion Fee

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