Rating of the best cholesterol pills for 2020

High cholesterol is one of the reasons for the development of atherosclerosis. Often, adherence to a diet does not bring tangible results, therefore, special drugs are used for treatment.

Bad and good cholesterol, what's the difference

Cholesterol is a substance vital for the normal functioning of the body. It is a building material for cells, is responsible for the elasticity of cell membranes, and is essential 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 cholesterol received from food should not exceed 0.3 g. This amount is contained in a portion (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 blood) substance. It moves through the bloodstream by attaching itself to proteins or transport fats - these are the compounds called lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are the same in shape, but differ in density and size.

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

Nutrition and cholesterol

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

But the human body cannot synthesize polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega 3 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 the diet.

Sources of "bad" cholesterol are saturated and trans fats. The former are found in ice cream, cream, sausages and fatty meats. The latter are found 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 contribute to a decrease in 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 is 6.2) - this is hypercholesterolemia requiring urgent treatment.
Doctors recommend having an annual check-up starting at the age of 25. It is possible earlier if someone from the family suffers from excess cholesterol.

How to lower cholesterol levels

The easiest way is to rethink your lifestyle. The recommendations are standard - moderate physical activity and a balanced diet. Here are some powerful 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. To maximize the beneficial Omega-3 acids, steam, boil or bake fish.
3. Add finely chopped garlic to salads (if there are no problems with the gastrointestinal tract) - 2-3 cloves a day is enough.

Important: these methods are only suitable in cases where the cholesterol level is not much higher than normal. In the rest, it is necessary to contact a specialist who will prescribe medication.

What medications are there

Medication is necessary primarily for patients at risk (diagnosed with atherosclerosis or a high probability of its development, diabetes). Also, medications are prescribed for people over 50 years old 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 the side effects, statins do have them, as, indeed, any other medications. For example, muscle pain is one of the possible side effects, an unpleasant symptom, but not life-threatening. According to research data, only 5% of cases require adjustment (reduction) of the daily dose of the drug.

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. Also, be sure to warn your doctor about the medications you are taking. If, when interacting with drugs for cardiovascular diseases, most statins are neutral, then the joint use of antifungal drugs, sleeping pills or antibiotics can cause side effects.

Also, studies have 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 testing.

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

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

Review of the best cholesterol pills for 2020

Best statins

Simvastatin

Statin from a Russian manufacturer. The main component 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 risks 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 a meal).

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

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

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

Lovastatin

The active ingredient is lovastatin. It is indicated for patients with diagnosed atherosclerosis, primary hypercholesterolemia (in cases where the prescribed diet does not bring a noticeable result). 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) with meals in the evening. 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 administration of drugs that suppress immunity, the maximum daily dose is 20 mg.

Contraindications:

• liver disease (including a history);
• alcoholism;
• pregnancy, lactation;
• with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus (hyperkalemia is possible - a high concentration of potassium in the blood serum).
• general serious health condition 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) - 276 rubles

• efficiency;
• affordable price;
• a small number of 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. It can be used in patients with diabetes.

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

Indications: type 4 hypertriglyceridemia, slowing the development of atherosclerosis, prevention of cardiovascular diseases (in patients after 50 years) 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 its intolerance;
• allergy to the components of Rosuvastatin;
• pregnancy, lactation (the harm from the use of statins during pregnancy exceeds the potential benefit);
• when planning a pregnancy;
• liver disease.

Use with caution in patients over the age of 65. 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 counterparts). Well tolerated, you can buy without problems at any pharmacy.

Country of origin - Russia
Price per package (30 pcs.) With an active ingredient content of 5 mg - about 300 rubles

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

• no significant ones.

Lescol forte

The active ingredient is fluvastatin. It is indicated for diagnosed coronary heart disease, as a primary and secondary prevention of heart attack, reduces the level of low density lipoproteins. Effective as monotherapy, without prescribing 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 administration - 1 tablet (80 mg) or capsule (20 mg) once a day. You can take the medicine at any time, regardless of food intake. 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.

The minimum number of contraindications:

• children up to age 9;
• pregnancy, breastfeeding;
• kidney disease in the acute stage.

Incompatible with alcohol, in case of an 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 of contraindications;
• well tolerated.

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

Liprimar

The active ingredient is atorvastatin, which belongs to the 3rd generation of statins. Reduces the level 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 mortality rate from ischemia by 16% after a 4-month course. And also the risk of re-hospitalization by 26%.

At a minimum dosage (10 mg), it reduces the risk of heart attack in patients over 65 years of age. According to the doctor's prescription, 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 care: patients suffering from alcoholism, a history of renal dysfunction.
Method of application: 1 tablet per day. Reception is not tied to food intake.

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

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

• can be used in children from 10 years old, but strictly according to medical prescription;
• minimum of contraindications;
• not badly tolerated.

• not found.

Other drugs

Ezetrol

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

Indications: primary, familial hypercholesterolemia, treatment of atherosclerosis.

Method of application: 1 tablet at any time of the day.

Contraindications:

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

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

Manufacturer - American corporation Schering-plow
Price - about 2000 per pack (28 tablets)

• good tolerance;

• price.

Lipantil

The active ingredient is fenofibrate (the active metabolite is fenofibric acid). Lowers the level of triglycerides in the blood (according to research by 40%), cholesterol - by 20%. Also, the drug improves blood parameters (fluidity) and slightly reduces plasma glucose levels, therefore it can be used in patients with diabetes.

Contraindications:

• renal failure;
• not compatible with anticoagulants, since the likelihood of bleeding is high;
• individual intolerance.

It can be prescribed to pregnant women if the potential effect 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;
• can be prescribed to patients over 65 years old

• high risk of side effects (often nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain).

Despite the large number of drugs that lower blood cholesterol levels, you should not prescribe treatment yourself. 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 medication.

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