Rating of the best cholesterol pills for 2022

Elevated cholesterol is one of the causes of atherosclerosis. Often, dieting does not bring tangible results, so special drugs are used for treatment.

What is the difference between good and bad cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a vital substance for the normal functioning of the body. It is a building material for cells, is responsible for the elasticity of cell membranes, and is necessary for the synthesis of vitamin D and hormones. It is produced in the liver, the deficiency is replenished with food (yolks, fatty meat, smoked meats).For a healthy person, the maximum (safe) amount of dietary cholesterol should not exceed 0.3 g. This amount is contained in a serving (200 g) of fried pork or 150 g of smoked sausage.

Cholesterol is usually divided into "bad" and "good". The fact is that cholesterol itself is a fatty, insoluble (in the blood) substance. It moves through the bloodstream, joining proteins or transport fats - these compounds are called lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are the same in shape, but differ in density and size.

“Good” lipoproteins are of small size with high density, “bad” ones are with low density and, accordingly, large size. It is the latter that settle on the walls of blood vessels, interfere with normal blood flow and, as a result, contribute to the development of strokes and heart attacks.

Nutrition and cholesterol

The level of cholesterol in the blood largely depends on the nutrition of a person, namely the quality of the fats contained in food. For example, monounsaturated fats are useful because they reduce the amount of "bad" lipoproteins. The main source of such fats is almonds, pistachios, natural vegetable oils (olive, sesame).

But polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega 3 the human body cannot synthesize on its own, and a deficiency leads to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. You can, of course, buy amino acid complexes, but it is better to include dishes from fatty fish, seafood or walnuts in your diet.

Sources of "bad" cholesterol are saturated and trans fats. The former are found in ice cream, cream, sausages and fatty meats. The second - in almost all confectionery products (sweets, cakes) containing palm oil.The danger of trans fats is that in addition to increasing the level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood, they help reduce the good.

Is it true that age affects cholesterol levels?

Yes true. For comparison, in a newborn child, the level of cholesterol in the blood is 1.3-2.6 mmol / l, in adults these figures are 2-3 times higher. It is worth going to the hospital if a blood test showed a cholesterol level of 7.8 mmol / l (normal value 6.2) - this is hypercholesterolemia that requires urgent treatment.
Doctors recommend an annual check-up starting at the age of 25. It can be earlier if one of the family members suffers from excess cholesterol.

How to Lower Your Cholesterol

The easiest way is to rethink your lifestyle. Recommendations are standard - moderate physical activity and a balanced diet. Here are some effective ways:

1. Jogging is the easiest way to shake things up. No costs for special equipment and obvious benefits for the body.
2. Include fish dishes in your diet. Steam, boil, or bake your fish to maximize its beneficial omega-3s.
3. Add finely chopped garlic to salads (if there are no problems with the gastrointestinal tract) - 2-3 cloves per day are enough.

Important: these methods are only suitable in cases where the cholesterol level is slightly higher than the normal value. In the rest - you need to contact a specialist who will prescribe medication.

What are the medicines

Drug treatment is necessary, first of all, for patients at risk (with diagnosed atherosclerosis or a high probability of its development, diabetes). Also, drugs are prescribed for people over 50 who suffer from high blood pressure.Here, only diet or morning exercises are indispensable.

The most popular drugs are statins. The principle of action is to slow down the formation of cholesterol (inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase in the liver). Numerous studies have proven their effectiveness and safety.

As for side effects, statins do have them, as, indeed, do any other medicines. For example, muscle pain is one of the possible side effects, an unpleasant symptom, but not life-threatening. According to studies, only in 5% of cases an adjustment (reduction) of the daily dose of the drug is required.

Important: when taking statins, you should not get carried away with grapefruit juice, as it affects the increase in the concentration of the drug in the blood. You can drink 1 glass a day, no more. You should also tell your doctor about the medications you are taking. If most statins are neutral when interacting with drugs for cardiovascular diseases, then the joint use of antifungal drugs, sleeping pills or antibiotics can cause side effects.

Studies have also confirmed that statins (regardless of the active substance) are able to increase the concentration of glucose in the blood. Therefore, people with diagnosed (or suspected) diabetes need to undergo additional examination.

Statins are prescription drugs that are prescribed for a long time to achieve a stable effect (the dosage is selected individually), sometimes for life.

Also, drugs containing active substances that help reduce the absorption of cholesterol from the small intestine are used for treatment.For example, the use of drugs based on ezetimibe reduces the flow of cholesterol into the liver by 54%.

You can supplement the diet and help maintain normal Cholesterol by taking the probiotic complex Lactoflorene Cholesterol. This product not only reduces bad cholesterol, which is produced by the liver, but also due to the probiotic strain BB 536, the absorption of cholesterol derivatives, which are produced through bile, is limited.

Review of the best cholesterol pills for 2022

Best statins

Simvastatin

Statin from a Russian manufacturer. The main ingredient is simvastatin. When taken regularly, it reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood plasma, including TG (triglycerides), LDL (low-density lipoprotein).
The maximum therapeutic effect is achieved after 4-6 weeks. It is indicated to reduce the risk of coronary atherosclerosis, regardless of the prescribed methods of non-drug treatment (diet, exercise). Reduces the risk of myocardial infarction, strokes.

Side effects - from rashes to allergic reactions and problems from the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting), liver.

Method of application - 1 tablet per day (preferably in the evening, 20-30 minutes after eating).

Country of origin - Russia
Price - about 100 rubles. (for a pack of 10 pcs.)

• affordable;
• judging by the reviews, it really lowers cholesterol levels;

• to maintain the therapeutic effect, a constant intake is needed, after discontinuation of the drug, the indicators gradually return to their original value;
• contraindicated in pregnant women and children under 18;
• when planning pregnancy, taking Simvastatin should be abandoned, since there is a high probability of a negative impact on the development of the fetus;
• many side effects (from the gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system).

Lovastatin

The active substance is lovastatin. It is indicated for patients with diagnosed atherosclerosis, primary hypercholesterolemia (in cases where the prescribed diet does not bring noticeable results). It is a prodrug (when it enters the body, it is hydrolyzed, with the release of the active substance). When taken regularly, it has a positive effect on the vascular walls, improves the rheological properties of blood (plasma viscosity, erythrocyte deformability).

Method of application - 1 tablet (10 - 20 mg) in the evening with meals. If necessary, the daily dose is gradually increased to 80 mg, divided into 2 doses - in the morning and in the evening. With the simultaneous use of drugs that suppress the immune system, the maximum daily dose is 20 mg.

Contraindications:

• liver disease (including history);
• alcoholism;
• pregnancy, lactation;
• with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus (hyperkalemia is possible - a high concentration of potassium in the blood serum).
• the general severe state of health of the patient.

Side effects - from allergic reactions to dizziness and problems with the digestive system (heartburn, nausea, diarrhea).

Country of origin - Russia
The price of 30 tablets (20 mg) is 276 rubles

• efficiency;
• affordable price;
• few contraindications.

• side effects.

Rosuvastatin

Lipid-lowering drug, inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase. Reduces the level of "bad" cholesterol, while increasing the concentration of high density lipoproteins. The maximum therapeutic effect is achieved after 4 weeks. May be used in diabetic patients.

To increase efficiency, it is possible to simultaneously prescribe nicotinic acid (at the discretion of the doctor, taking into account possible risks).

Indications: hypertriglyceridemia type 4, slowing down the development of atherosclerosis, prevention of cardiovascular diseases (in patients over 50 years old) in the presence of additional risk factors.

Dosage: 1 tablet per day (5 mg), regardless of food intake, the maximum allowable dose without the risk of severe side effects is 40 mg.

Contraindications:

• myopathy (muscle damage);
• children under 18;
• impaired renal function;
• contains lactose, therefore it is contraindicated in case of lactose intolerance;
• allergy to the components of Rosuvastatin;
• pregnancy, lactation (the harm from the use of statins during pregnancy outweighs the potential benefit);
• when planning a pregnancy;
• liver disease.

Use with caution in patients over the age of 65 years. It is necessary to inform the doctor about the medications taken (incompatibility is possible).
Judging by the reviews, Rosuvastatin is a really effective drug at an affordable price (compared to imported analogues). Well tolerated, you can buy without problems at any pharmacy.

Country of origin - Russia
The price for a package (30 pcs.) with an active ingredient content of 5 mg is about 300 rubles

• acceptable price;
• convenient reception (at any time of the day);
• efficiency;
• availability.

• there are no significant ones.

Leskol forte

The active substance is fluvastatin. It is indicated for diagnosed coronary heart disease, as a primary and secondary prevention of a heart attack, reduces the level of low density lipoproteins. Effective as a monotherapy, without the appointment of additional drugs.

Well tolerated by patients over 65 years of age. To increase the effectiveness of the drug, patients are advised to follow a diet.

Method of application - 1 tablet (80 mg) or capsule (20 mg) once a day. You can take the medicine at any time, regardless of the meal. The active substance is released evenly over 24 hours, without causing fluctuations in the concentration of fluvastatin in the blood.

The therapeutic effect is achieved 2 weeks after the start of administration.

Minimum number of contraindications:

• children's age up to 9 years;
• pregnancy, breastfeeding;
• acute kidney disease.

Incompatible with alcohol, in case of overdose, you must immediately call an ambulance.

Country of origin - Spain
Price: 28 tablets (80 mg) - about 3000 rubles

• can be used in children from 9 years old;
• minimum contraindications;
• well tolerated.

• high price, given that statins are prescribed for a long time.

Liprimar

The active substance is atorvastatin, belongs to the 3rd generation of statins. Reduces the level of development of ischemic complications. In the course of the studies, it was proved that the appointment of atorvastatin at the maximum dosage (80 mg) reduces the death rate from ischemia by 16% after a 4-month course. As well as the risk of re-hospitalization by 26%.

In the minimum dosage (10 mg) reduces the risk of developing a heart attack in patients over 65 years of age. As directed by a doctor, it can be used in children from 10 years of age if indicated.

Contraindications:

• lactose intolerance;
• allergy to the components of the drug;
• children under 18 years of age (with the exception of familial hypercholesterolemia);
• pregnancy;

With caution: patients suffering from alcoholism, a history of impaired renal function.
How to use: 1 tablet per day. Reception is not tied to food intake.

Liprimar is well tolerated by children, adults may experience dizziness, digestive problems, allergic reactions (urticaria).

Country of origin - Germany
Price - from 600 rubles for 30 tablets (20 mg)

• can be used in children from 10 years old, but strictly for medical purposes;
• minimum contraindications;
• not well tolerated.

• not found.

Other drugs

Ezetrol

New generation drug. The principle of action differs from statins, since the active ingredient reduces the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. When co-administered with statins, it increases the concentration of "good" cholesterol.

Indications: primary, familial hypercholesterolemia, treatment of atherosclerosis.

How to use: 1 tablet at any time of the day.

Contraindications:

• intolerance;
• the danger of the drug for maternal health and fetal development has not been proven, but the instructions for use indicate that when pregnancy occurs, Ezetrol should be canceled.

The drug is well tolerated. In case of accidental overdose, no life-threatening consequences have been identified.

Manufacturer - American corporation Schering-plough
Price - about 2000 per package (28 tablets)

• good tolerance;

• price.

Lipantil

The active substance is fenofibrate (the active metabolite is fenofibric acid). It lowers the level of triglycerides in the blood (according to studies by 40%), cholesterol - by 20%. Also, the drug improves blood counts (fluidity) and slightly reduces the level of glucose in the blood plasma, so it can be used in patients with diabetes.

Contraindications:

• kidney failure;
• not compatible with anticoagulants, since there is a high probability of bleeding;
• individual intolerance.

May be given to pregnant women if the potential benefit of drug therapy outweighs the risk to the fetus.
Method of application: 1 capsule per day, the course is prescribed individually, depending on the patient's condition.

Country of origin - France
Price - 1000 rubles for 30 tablets

• efficiency;
• lowers blood sugar levels;
• may be given to patients over 65 years of age

• the risk of side effects is high (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain are often observed).

Despite the large number of drugs that lower the level of cholesterol in the blood, it is not worth prescribing treatment on your own. And even more so to try to solve the problem with dietary supplements, harmless, but completely useless as a replacement therapy. Diet is also very useful, but in severe cases it cannot replace drug treatment.

In order to avoid the development of serious diseases associated with the cardiovascular system, you should regularly undergo examinations, try to adjust your diet in favor of healthy food.