Drugs That Lower Plasma Cholesterol, Lipids and Triglycerides, Their Mechanisms and Therapeutic Uses

Dietary or pharmacological reduction of elevated plasma cholesterol levels can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular disease.
the association between elevated plasma triglyceride levels is less dramatic, but it is becoming more recognized. In addition, elevated plasma Triglycerides can produce life threatening pancreatitis.

Drugs useful in treating hyperlipidemias ( Increased conc. of lipids in blood)


1. Inhibitors of Cholesterol Biosynthesis.
following drugs inhibit cholesterol synthesis:

• Lovastatin (mevinolin, Mevacor) 
• Simvastatin (Zocor)
• Pravastatin (Pravachol)
• Fluvastatin (Lescol)
• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Rosuvastatin (Crestor)

Drugs that inhibit cholesterol synthesis are effective at lowering plasma LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol

2. Nicotinic acid ( Niacin ) (brand names: Nicobid, Nicolar)

Nicotinic acid

Fibric Acid Analogues.
Finofibrate ( Antara, Triglide, Lofibra)


Gemfibrozil (Lopid)

Bile acid Absorption Inhibitors

Ezetimibe (Zetia) 

Bile acid sequestrants 

these agents include
cholestyramine (Questran),
Colestipol (Colestid)
colesevelam (WelChol)