High cholesterol - Illnesses and conditions

High cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death worldwide. Cholesterol is a type of fat that is essential for the body, but when there is an excess of it in the blood, it can lead to the buildup of plaques in the arteries and cause atherosclerosis. High cholesterol can be managed through lifestyle changes and medication. In this article, we will discuss the different types of tablets used for high cholesterol and their mechanisms of action.

1. Statins

Statins are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for high cholesterol. They work by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which is involved in the production of cholesterol in the liver. By reducing the amount of cholesterol produced, statins decrease the levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, also known as "bad" cholesterol, in the blood. Statins can also increase the levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, also known as "good" cholesterol, which helps to remove excess cholesterol from the body.

Some commonly prescribed statins include:

• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
• Simvastatin (Zocor)
• Pravastatin (Pravachol)
• Lovastatin (Mevacor)

Statins are generally well-tolerated, but they can cause side effects such as muscle pain and weakness, liver damage, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. However, the benefits of statins in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke outweigh the risks in most cases.

2. Ezetimibe

Ezetimibe is a medication that works by blocking the absorption of cholesterol from the small intestine. It inhibits a protein called Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1), which is responsible for transporting cholesterol from the intestines into the bloodstream. By reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed, ezetimibe lowers the levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood.

Ezetimibe is often used in combination with statins to further lower LDL cholesterol levels. Some commonly prescribed combination high cholesterol ka desi ilaj:

• Ezetimibe/simvastatin (Vytorin)
• Ezetimibe/atorvastatin (Liptruzet)

Ezetimibe is generally well-tolerated, but it can cause side effects such as diarrhea, stomach pain, and fatigue.

3. PCSK9 inhibitors

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors are a newer class of medications that work by targeting a protein that regulates the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood. PCSK9 inhibitors bind to PCSK9 and prevent it from breaking down LDL receptors in the liver, which leads to an increased removal of LDL cholesterol from the blood.

There are two PCSK9 inhibitors currently available:

• Alirocumab (Praluent)
• Evolocumab (Repatha)

PCSK9 inhibitors are usually reserved for people who cannot tolerate statins or who have familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition that causes high levels of LDL cholesterol. They are administered as injections and can cause side effects such as redness, itching, and swelling at the injection site.

4. Bile acid sequestrants

Bile acid sequestrants are medications that bind to bile acids in the intestines and prevent them from being reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Bile acids are produced by the liver to aid in the digestion and absorption of fats, including cholesterol. By binding to bile acids, these medications increase the excretion of cholesterol in the feces and lower the levels of LDL cholesterol jigar ki charbi ka ilaj in urdu.