Food and Fitness:
cholesterol-lowering drugs
Drugs that reduce the level of blood cholesterol. They are sometimes prescribed to individuals who cannot reduce their high cholesterol levels by special diets or exercise. There are a number of cholesterol-lowering drugs, some of which have unpleasant and potentially dangerous side-effects. Drugs containing niacin have gained particular notoriety. Niacin (specifically, one form called nicotinic acid) may reduce cholesterol levels, but large doses can cause irreversible liver damage. Clearly, no one should take any cholesterol-lowering drug without medical advice. The patient should also be monitored to ensure that the drug is effective and does not cause any harmful side-effects. See also laxative.
