With the increase of coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia patients, more and more patients need to take lipid-lowering drugs. But do you know what types of lipid-lowering drugs are included? And the advantages and disadvantages, side effects of various types of lipid-lowering drugs? Today we will talk to you about lipid-lowering drugs. The first category is the most widely used drugs: statins. These drugs almost always have the word “statin” in their name. The most common drugs in the clinic are pravastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, pitavastatin, resuvastatin and so on. Except for atorvastatin and resuvastatin, which can be taken at any time, the rest of the statins are recommended to be taken before bedtime. Statins mainly reduce serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, with limited effect on triglyceride reduction, and are mainly used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Statins can also be used to prevent and treat coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis and other complications. The side effects of statins are relatively minor and short-lived, and most people tolerate statins well, with common side effects such as headache, insomnia and indigestion. It should be noted that some patients may experience elevated aminotransferases, and in severe cases, adverse reactions such as myalgia and rhabdomyolysis may occur, which can be life-threatening. Patients taking statins for a long period of time should pay attention to regular review of liver function and muscle enzyme levels, and if there are obvious abnormalities, the dose should be promptly reduced or discontinued under the guidance of a doctor. The second type of drugs is also very common in the clinic: Beta drugs. This kind of drug has the word “beta” in its name. Representative drugs are: clofibrate, benzafibrate, fenofibrate and so on. Beta drugs are mainly used to lower triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol levels, and are mainly used in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia. In addition, there are anti-atherosclerotic effects. Adverse effects of these drugs are mainly gastrointestinal discomfort, mostly mild nausea, diarrhea and abdominal distension, etc. Occasionally, skin itching, urticaria, rash, hair loss, headache, insomnia and other symptoms, outside the most common in the early stage of drug use, usually without stopping the drug can disappear on their own, individual symptoms should be reduced dose or discontinue the drug. If you are taking Beta drugs for a long period of time, you need to check your liver function and muscle enzyme levels regularly, because it can also cause rhabdomyolysis. The combination of Beta drugs and statins can increase the risk of muscle toxicity, and patients should not combine them casually. The third group of drugs is: niacin analogs. Clinically, there are inositol nicotinate, acyclovir, and so on. Niacin drugs belong to the B vitamins, with obvious lipid-lowering effect. These drugs are mainly used for those who apply to simple elevated triglyceride levels, and patients with predominantly elevated triglyceride levels accompanied by mildly elevated total cholesterol levels, and can be used in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia and mixed hyperlipidemia. Common adverse reactions include flushing of the skin, pruritus, rash, hyperuricemia, hyperglycemia, and upper gastrointestinal discomfort. Niacin should be used in a maximum dose of no more than 3-9 grams, otherwise it is highly likely to cause or aggravate hepatotoxicity, hyperglycemia, gout and peptic ulcer. The fourth class of drugs is: bile acid chelators. Clinically, there are: kolestenamine, kolestipol, etc.. Bile acid chelators can effectively reduce the serum total cholesterol level, also has a certain effect on the elevation of HDL cholesterol level, mainly used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. The most common adverse reaction is gastrointestinal discomfort, such as easy nausea, bloating, diarrhea, constipation and anorexia. Adverse reactions such as vitamin deficiencies and irritating odor can also occur with the administration of colesevelam. Supplementation of vitamins A, D, and K is needed when necessary. For patients with coronary artery disease, lipid-lowering drugs are very important and need to be taken for a long time. If any adverse drug reaction occurs, please consult a doctor in time and follow the doctor’s advice to adjust the medication.