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In comparison with other types of drugs, statins work to decrease the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels faster and more efficiently. How does it work? Well, it works to lower the LDL levels by suppressing an enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase which is responsible for the rate of cholesterol production within the liver.
These drugs work to increase the liver's ability to eliminate low-density lipoprotein (also known as LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol) already in the blood and also to decrease the total production of cholesterol. Substantial reductions in heart attack and coronary disease deaths have been made using statin drugs because of the significant reduction in total and LDL cholesterol. The amount of heart disease and coronary heart attack deaths have been lowered, thanks to the statin's ability to decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Also, because of this fact, as well as its safety, it became the number one drug prescribed for lowering cholesterol.
Studies have proven that people taking statins report about 20 to 60 percent lower cholesterol levels within a very short time. Besides the extreme reduction in the LDL cholesterol levels, statins also reduce high triglyceride levels and produce a slight increase in HDL cholesterol. Most often, statins are taken in a single dose at the evening meal or at bedtime. To take advantage of the fact that the body produces most of the cholesterol during the night, it is very important that the pill be administered in the evening. Quite recently, a new long acting statin was produced to be administered in the morning as well.
After a period of several weeks, with maximum effect in 4 to 6 weeks, you should begin to experience significant results from the statins. In about 6 to 8 weeks your doctor can perform the first check on your new and improved cholesterol levels while you are on the medication. In order to assist you in meeting your goal, a second measurement of LDL cholesterol level must be averaged with the first. This way the doctors decide whether the medicinal dosage you are on should be adjusted.
Statins are medications with extremely rare side effects (liver problems, muscle soreness, pain, and weakness) and are very well tolerated. If any of the side effects appear, or if you experience brown urine, contact your doctor as soon as possible to do blood tests for possible muscle problems. In people who are prescribed other drugs that interfere with the statin medication, widespread muscle breakdown, also known as rhadomylysis can occur. But this is a very rare side effect that could also appear in people who have advanced kidney problems.