Tag Archives: Cholesterol

Understanding Cholesterol Levels

Understanding Cholesterol Levels

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Your cholesterol numbers show how much cholesterol is circulating in your blood. Your HDL (good cholesterol) is the one number you want to be high (ideally above 60). Your LDL (bad cholesterol) should be below 100. Your total should be below 200. Talk with your provider about what your results mean for you and how to manage your cholesterol.

Measuring Cholesterol Levels

Your provider checks your cholesterol levels through a blood test called a lipid panel. Your provider will draw blood from a vein in your arm and send the blood to a lab for analysis. Be sure to closely follow your provider’s instructions on how to prepare for the test. You’ll likely need to fast for 12 hours beforehand. This means avoiding all foods and drinks except water.

When your results come in, your provider will let you know. You may also be able to access your results through your electronic medical record.

Your lipid panel gives you the following numbers:

  • Total cholesterol: This is the total amount of cholesterol that’s circulating in your blood. Here’s the formula for calculating it: HDL + LDL + 20% triglycerides = total cholesterol.
  • HDL level: HDL is high-density lipoprotein. This is the “good” cholesterol that moves extra cholesterol from your bloodstream to your liver. Your liver then gets rid of it from your body. When you see HDL, think of “h” for help. HDLs help your arteries clear out the cholesterol your body doesn’t need. It’s the one number in your lipid panel that you want to be high.
  • LDL level: LDL is low-density lipoprotein. This is the “bad” cholesterol that contributes to plaque buildup in your arteries. You need some LDLs because they carry cholesterol to your body’s cells. But having too many can cause problems.
  • VLDL level: VLDL is a very low-density lipoprotein. It’s another “bad” form that contributes to plaque buildup. VLDLs carry a type of fat (triglycerides) in your blood. If you have too many VLDLs, the extra fat can build up in your arteries.
  • Triglycerides: This is a type of fat. You need some triglycerides. But high levels (hypertriglyceridemia) can put you at risk for atherosclerosis and other diseases.
  • Non-HDL cholesterol: This is all the cholesterol in your blood that isn’t HDL. The formula for calculating this number is simple: Total cholesterol – HDL = Non-HDL cholesterol
  • The ratio between total cholesterol and HDL: This is your total cholesterol divided by your HDL. In general, you want your number to be below five. Your results may show a chart with more details and desirable levels. 

Meaning Behind Cholesterol Levels and the Numbers

Healthcare providers measure cholesterol levels as milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood. The abbreviation is mg/dL. Providers use these same units to measure your triglycerides.

High cholesterol generally means your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or higher. But providers use additional categories like borderline high and near-optimal to break down your results. If your numbers are close to normal levels, they may be easier to manage through lifestyle and dietary changes.

Why Are Cholesterol Numbers Important

Your cholesterol numbers are important because they help you know your risk for heart disease. Cholesterol is a type of lipid that helps your body perform many important functions. But too much cholesterol in your blood is bad for you. It can enter your artery wall, damage its integrity and lead to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque.

How To Lower Cholesterol Level?

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You may feel upset to learn you have high cholesterol. But now that you know about it, you can take action to lower your numbers. Follow your provider’s guidance on how to lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease. Some general tips include:

  • Add more exercise to your daily routine.
  • Avoid smoking and all tobacco products.
  • Keep a weight that’s healthy for you.

Learn how food impacts your cholesterol, and start with small changes to your diet.

  • Manage high blood pressure and high blood sugar.
  • Learn new strategies for dealing with stress.
  • Take your medications as prescribed.

Most of all, don’t blame yourself. High cholesterol is a common condition that can be hard to control through lifestyle choices alone. And many factors beyond our control limit the choices we can make.

Medications that can be used to lower cholesterol:

Rosuvastatin 

Fenofibrate

Gemfibrozil 

These medications work by decreasing hepatic triglyceride synthesis and reducing circulating free fatty acids. As a result with proper lifestyle, helps with cholesterol levels. 

What Is The Main Cause Of High Triglycerides

What Is The Main Cause Of High Triglycerides?

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The most common causes of high triglycerides relate to diet and metabolism. Also, excess body weight and a high-fat, high-carb diet, several health conditions may contribute. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with high triglycerides, you may be looking for ways to make your diet and exercise routines healthier, but some other culprits should also be on your radar.

What Are High Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are a kind of fat that is found in the blood. Cholesterol is another kind. Stored in fat cells for later use, triglycerides are a major energy source. Normal amounts are important for good health. Eating more fat than the body burns can lead to high triglyceride levels. 

High triglyceride levels may result in the hardening of the arteries, which increases the risks of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease. They can be part of metabolic syndrome, which also includes too much fat around the waist, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol levels.

Sometimes high triglyceride levels mean poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, liver or kidney disease, low thyroid hormone levels, or rare genetic conditions.

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What Are the Causes and Symptoms of High Triglycerides?

Causes of High Triglycerides may include:

  • Obesity
  • Eating too much unhealthy food
  • Genetics

Certain illnesses include:

Some drugs such as:

Drinking a lot of alcohol can also increase the levels of triglycerides. 

Most people with High Triglycerides have no symptoms. Very high levels of Triglycerides can cause small fat deposits under the skin and painful inflammation of the pancreas called pancreatitis. 

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Exercise

Managing High Triglycerides

Dos 

  • Exercise regularly.
  • Eat fish.
  • Stop smoking.
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables and high-fiber foods. 
  • Lose weight by changing your diet and doing aerobic exercise, such as jogging, walking, bicycling, or swimming. Exercise at least 30 minutes daily.

Don’ts 

  • Don’t drink more than two alcoholic drinks each day.
  • Don’t forget to treat other medical conditions such as diabetes and an underactive thyroid.
  • Don’t change your diet or medicines without your doctor’s approval.

How Are High Triglycerides Treated?

High triglycerides, like high cholesterol, are a potentially serious health problem. But, with lifestyle changes and, if necessary, medications, most people will be able to successfully manage their condition and reduce their cardiovascular disease risk.

If diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes are not enough to lower your triglycerides or your doctor feels your numbers are too high to address the problem with lifestyle interventions alone, they may recommend medication. 

  • Gemfibrozil – this medication is in a class of lipid-regulating medications called fibrates. The drug works by reducing the production of triglycerides in the liver. As a result, it lowers your levels of triglycerides. 
Buy Fenofibrate

What Condition Does Fenofibrate Treat and Its Price?

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Fenofibrate is in the group of medicines called fibrates used to help lower bad fats or cholesterol. This increases the natural substance that breaks down fats in the blood. This prescription has already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

What condition does Fenofibrate treat?

Fenofibrate is a prescription medicine used along with a proper diet to help lower bad fats or cholesterol such as triglycerides and LDL. This medicine raises good cholesterol in the blood. Lowering triglycerides in people with very high triglycerides in the blood levels might reduce the risk of pancreas disease. In addition to eating a proper diet and other lifestyle changes that might help with this medicine work better include:

  • Stopping smoking
  • Losing weight if overweight
  • Exercising

How does Fenofibrate work?

Fenofibrate works generally by stimulating the action of an enzyme that breaks down bad fats or cholesterol. This is called lipoprotein lipase that is found in muscle and fat tissue. Stimulating this enzyme increases the breakdown of bad fats or cholesterol in the blood. Also, this medicine increases the levels of good cholesterol. The general effect is dropped levels of bad fats or cholesterol and elevated levels of good fats in the blood.

This medication is used when blood lipid levels cannot be lowered by diet and exercise alone. It is vital to continue to follow a cholesterol-lowering diet and exercise regime while taking Fenofibrate. Discuss this with your doctor.

What is the dosage of Fenofibrate?

  • Take Fenofibrate exactly as your doctor prescribed you. The usual dose for this is 200 mg each day. Your dose, how you take it, and the times you will be taking it depends on your condition being treated and your response.
  • Each dose of Fenofibrate should be taken with food unless you are directed to do otherwise. This drug is better absorbed by your body when there is some food in your stomach. Also, some people find it easier to swallow with a glass of water.
  • You can take Fenofibrate at a time of the day that is easy for you to remember but it is best to take it at the same time each day. It will remind you to take your medicine regularly.
  • Take your dose as soon as you remember if you forget it. If you don’t remember until the next day, leave it and take the dose that is due as normal. You should not take the same time to make up for the missed dose.

What are the precautions in using Fenofibrate?

  • If you are taking Fenofibrate as part of your treatment, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have problems with your kidney or liver, have problems with your pancreas, and if an have underactive thyroid gland.
  • It is important to let your doctor know if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this drug or you have any allergies. Tell also if you have a bad skin reaction to a medicine called ketoprofen that is used to treat swelling and pain.
  • Inform your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medicines including prescriptions, non-prescription, herbal products, vitamins, or food supplements.
  • Regularly keep your appointments with your doctor to check your progress. You may need to have regular blood tests during the early stage of your treatment. These are to check that your liver stays healthy.
  • You will give you advice about having a healthy diet, lessening the amount of salt in your diet, avoiding drinking too much alcohol, and stopping smoking. Following this advice will help you decrease your risk of developing heart and blood vessel disease.
  • Fenofibrate might cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than usual. Avoid strong sunbeds and sunlight until you know how your skin reacts and use a sun cream with a high sun protection factor even on bright but cloudy days.
  • Treatment with this medication is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. Continue taking this drug unless you are advised otherwise by your doctor.

Price of Fenofibrate vs. Fenoglide 

The generic is a lot cheaper and more effective drug in lowering your LDL levels or bad cholesterol levels. Fenofibrate only costs $65.17 per 30 tablets with a strength of 40 mg at Rx 2 Go Pharmacy. The brand name Fenoglide costs $374.41 with the same quantity and strength.

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What Condition Does Simvastatin Treat?

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Simvastatin is in the family of medications called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors or also known as statins. This drug is used for lowering blood levels of bad cholesterol. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Simvastatin in 1991. 

What condition does Simvastatin treat?

Simvastatin is mostly prescribed by many doctors to lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. Raising good cholesterol instead of bad cholesterol lessens the risk of heart disease and prevents heart attacks and strokes. Your doctor will also prescribe you Simvastatin if you have:

How does Simvastatin work?

Simvastatin is a statin medication that works in various ways;

  • It stops the production of cholesterol by blocking the enzyme that makes cholesterol.
  • It helps reabsorb existing cholesterol. Your body needs cholesterol to achieve certain tasks and these include absorbing vitamin D, helping you make hormones, and digesting food. If statins lower your cholesterol level, your body can’t acquire the cholesterol it needs from your circulating blood. As an alternative, your body needs to find other sources of cholesterol by reabsorbing cholesterol that has built up as plaques containing bad cholesterol in your arteries.

What is the dosage of Simvastatin?

  • Before you start the treatment, carefully read the manufacturer’s information. It will give you more facts about Simvastatin and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.
  • Take one dose of Simvastatin every day particularly in the evening. Your doctor will tell you which strength of the medicine is accurate for you.
  • You can take each dose of the medicine before or after every meal.
  • With a full glass of water, swallow the medicine whole. Let your doctor know if you have any problems swallowing.
  • While you are taking Simvastatin, do not drink grapefruit juice at any time. A certain chemical that the grapefruit juice contains might increase the amount of the drug in your bloodstream. This increases the risk of some side effects and might make them being more serious.
  • Leave out the missed dose if you forget to take a dose. However, make sure that you remember to take your next dose on the following evening. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

What are the precautions in using Simvastatin?

  • Women taking this drug should prevent from getting pregnant. Make sure to talk with your doctor about what types of contraception are appropriate for you and your partner.
  • Simvastatin treatment is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. You must continue to take it regularly.
  • Taking this drug may cause some side effects. If it occurs, let your doctor know right away if side effects get worse or do not go away.
  • Your doctor will give you advice about eating a healthy diet, lessening the amount of alcohol you usually drink, stopping smoking, decreasing the quantity of salt in your diet, and taking regular exercise. Following the pieces of advice given will also help you to lessen your risk of developing blood vessel and heart disease.

Several medicines are not right for people with certain conditions, and might only be used if extra care is taken. It is important that before you start taking Simvastatin your doctor must know if you:

  • Are breastfeeding pregnant, or planning to be pregnant
  • Have any problems with the way your liver works, or if you have liver disease
  • Have an underactive thyroid gland
  • Have a problem with unexplained muscle pains
  • Have ever had a muscle disorder
  • Have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine
  • Have any problems with the way your kidneys work
  • Regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol
  • Are taking any other medicines. This is mainly important because there are lots of medicines that must not be taken with Simvastatin. Some medicines will affect the dose of this prescription that your doctor has given you. Also make sure that your doctor knows of any remedies you are taking especially non-prescription, herbal, and complementary medicines.

Price of Simvastatin vs. Zocor

The generic Simvastatin seems to be a very safe medication and is unusual to have any side effects. Simvastatin only costs $28.19, 5 mg per 30 tabs at Rx2go.Com. The brand name Zocor cost $58.95 with the same strength and quantity. In which, Simvastatin is a lot cheaper than Zocor.

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Rosuvastatin

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Rosuvastatin is a statin medication used to lower the blood total cholesterol level. It’s slightly less popular than other statins but it’s one of the strongest cholesterol-lowering statin medications available in the market.

Rosuvastatin helps lower the cholesterol level including the LDL cholesterol that increases the risk of heart attacks and other heart diseases. It prevents cardiovascular disease in those at high risk when used together with proper diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.

Rosuvastatin is a good option for patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, and who are obese. It was approved for medical use in the United States in 2003. It’s one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the US.

What condition does Rosuvastatin treat?

Rosuvastatin is used for:

  • Lowering the total cholesterol levels including LDL or the “bad” cholesterol and other fats (triglycerides, apolipoprotein B) in both adults and children aged 10 years old and above.
  • Increase the amount of high-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol in the blood
  • Decreased the cholesterol and other fatty substance in the blood in children age 8-17 years who have familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia.
  • Prevention of heart diseases like heart attack, angina pectoris, and stroke among those who are at high risk of heart diseases like smokers, people with high blood pressure, diabetes, and those who are obese.
  • To decrease the chances of people with heart disease to undergo heart surgery

How does Rosuvastatin work?

  • As a statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) type of medication, This medicine can slow down the production of cholesterol by the liver. This prevents the build-up of fat on the walls of the arteries which blocks the flow of blood to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body. Fat and bad cholesterol accumulation on the wall of the arteries increases the risk of heart disease by narrowing and clogging the arteries.
  • Rosuvastatin blocks the action of the enzyme in the liver responsible for the production of cholesterol. Blocking the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase decrease the production of bad cholesterol and increases the removal of it in the blood.
  • As a statin, this medication also prevents the excess bad cholesterol from being deposited in the major blood vessels of the heart, thus, also prevents heart diseases like angina pectoris and in severe cases heart attack.
  • It helps reduces stroke because it decreases cholesterol build-up in the blood vessels leading to the brain. Cholesterol build-up on the blood vessels that leads to the brain limits blood and oxygen supply to the brain.

What is the dosage of Rosuvastatin?

Your dose and the duration of your treatment may be different from other people depending on the cholesterol levels.

  • Atherosclerosis: The recommended dose for an adult is 5 to 40 mg a day.
  • Familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia: The dose for an adult is 5 to 40 mg a day. The dose for children 10 to 17 years old is 5 to 20 mg a day while children 8 to 9 years old should take 5 to 10 mg a day.
  • Familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia: The recommended dose for an adult and children 7 to 17 years of age is 20 mg once a day.

How to take Rosuvastatin?

  • Take this medicine exactly as directed by your physician. You may have to take it every day on a long-term basis unless directed by your doctor.
  • You can take Rosuvastatin at any time of the time but you have to take it at the same time each day.
  • You can take it with or without food.

What are the precautions in taking Rosuvastatin?

  • Use Rosuvastatin only if low-fat diet and lifestyle changes like increased exercise, not smoking has not reduced cholesterol enough.
  • Continue following a cholesterol-lowering diet program and lifestyle changes like exercise while taking this medicine.
  • Do not stop taking your medication because if you stop, your body will start to make cholesterol again and your cholesterol level will start to rise again.
  • Rosuvastatin can cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery if you are affected in any way. Do not drink excessive amounts of alcohol as this can increase dizziness and may increase the risk of liver problems.
  • Your doctor will have to monitor your liver function regularly throughout the treatment. If you develop any of the following unexplained symptoms, call your doctor:
  • Yellowing of the skin and eyes
  • Unusually dark urine
  • Itching
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Loss of appetite
  • The maximum recommended dose is 40 mg a day. It should be used only by people with very high cholesterol levels and a high risk of heart diseases. Do not use a 40 mg dose in treating patients with:
    • Decreased kidney function
    • History of a hereditary muscle disorder
    • Underactive thyroid gland
    • Children and adolescents
  • Use this medicine with caution among people with:
    • Decreased kidney and liver functions
    • Who are 70 years of age
    • Who drinks a large amount of alcohol
  • Do not use in people with:
    • Active liver disease
    • Diseases of the muscles
    • Severely decreased kidney function
    • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Some side effects can be serious. If you will experience any of the following serious side effects, seek medical help right away:
    • Allergic reactions
    • Extreme tiredness
    • Liver problems

Costs of Generic Rosuvastatin vs. Crestor

Rosuvastatin is a cheaper generic medication compared with the brand name Crestor.  It is prescribed to help people lower their blood cholesterol levels to prevent heart-related diseases like atherosclerosis, angina pectoris, heart attack, and stroke. Rosuvastatin 20 mg cost $1.80 per unit price or $54 for 30 tabs. While the brand name Crestor 20 mg costs $8.65 per unit price or $259.56 for 30 tabs.

Preventing Cholesterol From Building Up In Your Arteries

Preventing Cholesterol From Building Up In Your Arteries

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Lipitor is an oral prescription drug. It is used to prevent cholesterol from building up in your arteries. Cholesterol build-up can block your blood from flowing easily.  Lipitor is used along with:

  1. Exercise
  2. Diet program
  3. Weight loss

Lipitor is one of the most popular drugs in treating high cholesterol. It is used in adults and children 10 years older. The generic name of Lipitor is Atorvastatin.

What are the uses of Lipitor?

Lipitor belongs to a group of medicine called statins. It is used in treating patients with high cholesterol. It can lower your risk of having:

How does Lipitor works?

Lipitor works by reducing the production of cholesterol in your body. It blocks the cholesterol producing enzyme in your liver. The excess cholesterol in your arteries prevents your blood from flowing into your heart, brain and other body parts. As a result, you can suffer from stroke, heart attack and other health problems.

However, this medication works best with lifestyle changes.

What is the dosage of Lipitor?

Your dose depends on:

  • Your cholesterol level
  • Reason for taking the medicine
  • Your other medications
  • Your age
  • Adult- The recommended initial dose is 10 mg to 20 mg a day. The usual recommended dose ranges from 10 mg to 80 mg a day. The maximum dose is 80 mg a day.
  • Children- the recommended dose is 10 mg a day. The maximum dose is 20 mg a day. This medication may be taken with or without food.

How to take Lipitor?

  • Take this medication exactly as directed by your doctor.
  • Take the medicine by mouth once a day.
  • Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush or chew the tablet.
  • Take Lipitor 1 hour before or 4 hours after taking other medicines to lower your cholesterol.
  • To get the most benefit take the medicine regularly.

What are the precautions in taking Lipitor?

  • Do not take this drug if you have:
  • Health problems like:
    • Liver disease
    • Kidney problems
    • Severe lung disease
  • You’re allergic to this drug.
  • You’re pregnant
  • You’re nursing your baby.
  • This drug is not recommended for children 10 years of age or less.
  • Do not take more than the recommended dose.
  • Limit your alcohol intake.

Costs of Lipitor Vs. Generic Atorvastatin

The generic Atorvastatin is cheaper than the brand name Lipitor. Atorvastatin 10 mg costs $0.33 per unit price or $30.00 for 90 tabs. While the branded Lipitor 10 mg costs $9.10 per unit price or $818.66 for 90 tabs.

Buy Gemfibrozil

Gemfibrozil

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Gemfibrozil is a lipid-lowering agent. It is used for:

  • Lowering high levels of fats in the blood such as triglycerides and cholesterol. It is used when diet and lifestyle changes such as an exercised have not reduced the lipids enough.
  • Prevention of cardiovascular events like a heart attack or angina pectoris among patients with high levels of cholesterol. It is also used among patients with a high risk of heart disease who cannot take statin medicines.

Gemfibrozil is a type of medicine known as fibrates. It helps lower the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides in people with pancreatic and cardiovascular disease. It works by:

  • Increasing the breakdown of triglycerides present in the body.
  • Decreasing the production of triglycerides in the liver.
  • Decreasing the production of LDL cholesterol “bad fats” by the liver. This causes the liver to take up excess LDL in the blood at the same time increasing the HDL “good fats” levels.
  • Reducing the risk of excess fats being deposited in the blood vessels of the heart also known as atherosclerosis.

Why Buy Gemfibrozil?

Gemfibrozil is an effective lipid-lowering agent. It can significantly lower the LDL and triglycerides in the blood as it raises the HDL. It is more effective than non-statin cholesterol-lowering drugs with fewer side effects. Gemfibrozil is available as generic and brand name versions.

How to Take Gemfibrozil?

Gemfibrozil comes in a tablet form that you need to take orally. Take it exactly as prescribed by your physician. The typical dose is 600 mg twice a day, 30 minutes before taking your meal. Take it at around the same time every day. Do not take more or less than what is prescribed. Do not stop taking Gemfibrozil without telling your doctor.

Things to Remember

  • It is important that you do regular exercise and eats a healthy diet while taking this medicine.
  • Avoid drinking excess alcohol because this may increase the risk of side effects on the muscle and liver problems. If you experience any muscle pain, spasm, tenderness or weakness contact your doctor right away.
  • Patients who are 70 years of age and above, with a decrease in kidney function and muscular disorder must use Gemfibrozil with care.
  • Do not use Gemfibrozil if you have:
    • Are pregnant or breastfeeding
    • Are allergic to any of its ingredients
    • With a decrease liver function
    • With a severely decreased kidney function
  • Gemfibrozil can interact with statins. It may interact with blood thinners, oral diabetes medication and insulin. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications.

Medication that Reduces the Cholesterol Production by the Liver

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Cholesterol – It is a substance that contains a lot of fat. It is found in the body tissue and blood of all animals. The substance is essential to the formation of bile acids, vitamin D, progesterone, estrogen, and androgens. A diet that contains high saturated fats leads to increase the blood cholesterol level. Cholesterol needed by the body is also prepared by the liver and other tissues. This increased level of cholesterol increases the risk of heart and blood vessel disease.

Pravastatin sodium is a medicine that reduces the cholesterol production by the liver.

How does Pravastatin sodium works?

Pravastatin sodium belongs to the class of drug called as statins. It acts as lipoprotein lowering drug. The works in two steps.

  1. It inhibits the function HMG-CoA reductase enzyme. This inhibits the synthesis of low-density lipoprotein-like VLDL and LDL.
  2. As the production decreases in the liver, there is an increase in the uptake of LDL and VLDL from the blood. This reduces its amount in the bloodstream.
  3. It also results in the increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol.

Overall Pravastatin sodium decrease production of cholesterol in the liver and in its amount in the blood.

How to take Pravastatin sodium?

You can buy generic pravastatin sodium in the form of a tablet of 10 mg and 20 mg. Take a tablet same time every day. You can take the tablet with or without food.

The dosage depends on age and how severe is your condition?

Adult dosage.

  • Initial dose- 40 mg once in a day.
  • Maintenance dose- 40- 80 mg once in a day.

Children dosage.

  • <8 years- safety & efficacy not established.
  • 8 to 13 years – 20 mg once daily.
  • 14 to 18 years – 40 mg once daily.

Your doctor may adjust your dosage as needed. It depends on other medications you take.

What are the uses of Pravastatin sodium?

  • Pravastatin sodium is used to lower “bad” cholesterol and fats (LDL, triglycerides)
  • It raises “good” cholesterol (HDL) in the blood.
  • Reduce the amount of cholesterol made by the liver.
  • This decreases the risk of heart disease.
  • Helps prevent stroke/ heart attack.
  • Treats hardening of the arteries due to plaque buildup.
  • Helpful in other conditions not listed in the medication guide.
  • It is used to lower the progress of heart disease.

What are the precautions in taking Pravastatin sodium?

  • Before using Pravastatin sodium, inform your doctor about certain conditions that may create problems. Discuss with your doctor if you have/are.
    • Allergic to the above drug.
    • Any other allergies.
    • Liver disease.
    • Kidney disease.
    • Dental or any other surgery.
    • Pregnant or plan to be pregnant.
    • Breast Feeding
    • Diabetes
  • Inform your health provider about all other medicines you take.
  • Follow the diet and work out a plan that your doctor told you.
  • Avoid use of alcohol.
  • Consult your doctor in case of muscle pain, weakness, body aches or fever while taking Pravastatin sodium.

Cost of Pravastatin sodium (Generic & Brand)

Generic drugs have same active ingredient as brand ones. But generic drugs are cheaper as compared to brand drugs. They adopt many cost-saving methods like ordering in bulk from manufacturer etc. They also don’t need to spend a huge amount on inventing a drug. All this benefit is transferred to our consumers.

Cost of generic pravastatin sodium.

  • Pack of 30 tablets of 10 mg costs $ 19, per unit cost is $ 0.63.
  • Pack of 30 tablets of 20 mg costs $ 29, per unit cost is $ 0.97.

Cost of brand Pravachol.

  • Pack of 30 tablets of 10 mg costs $ 123.83, per unit cost is $ 4.13.
  • Pack of 30 tablets of 20 mg costs $ 130.62, per unit cost is $ 4.35.
Buy Ezetimibe

Medication to Reduce Levels of Cholesterol & its Other Components

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Ezetimibe is an anti-hyperlipidemic medication. It is used to lower cholesterol levels. The therapy is used along with the diet. It reduces the increased levels of cholesterol & its other components. Its other components include total C, LDL-C Apo B and fatty substances. It is only for the patients whose cholesterol level is not controlled by diet. The drug is popular as compared to other drugs of the same class.

How do Ezetimibe works?

Ezetimibe belongs to the class of medications known as lipid-lowering compounds. It inhibits the intestinal absorption of cholesterol and related phytosterols. Cholesterol-reducing compounds inhibit cholesterol synthesis in the liver.  Ezetimibe doesn’t inhibit cholesterol synthesis in the liver. It involves in the local action.

The drug acts to brush out the borders of the small intestine to remove cholesterol. It also inhibits the absorption of cholesterol there. This decreases the amount of cholesterol which is delivered through the intestine in the liver. The store of cholesterol in the liver decreases. As a result, there is an increase in the uptake of cholesterol from the blood.

How to take Ezetimibe?

Ezetimibe is available in the form of a tablet of strength 10 mg.

General dose: The recommended dose is 10 mg tablet one time a day. You should take the tablet around the same time every day. You can take it with or without food.

Children (10 years or older): 10 mg tablet one time a day.

Children (< or = to 10 years): Safety and efficacy isn’t established for this age group.

What are the uses of Ezetimibe?

  • Reduces cholesterol in people with high cholesterol levels.
  • Used alone or in combination with other medication in adjunct with diet.
  • Lowers the level of
  • Total cholesterol.
  • Bad cholesterol (LDL).
  • Fatty substance in the blood.
  • Raises the level of good cholesterol.
  • Reduces the cholesterol absorbed in your digestive tract.
  • Adds to the cholesterol-lowering effect of statins. A statin is a group of medication that reduces the cholesterol your body makes by itself.
  • Used in a hereditary illness. (Increase in Plant sterol in your blood).
  • Reduces the risk of
  • Heart attack.
  • Surgery to increase heart blood flow.
  • Hospitalization for chest pain in the heart patient.

What are the Precautions in taking Ezetimibe?

  • It is important to take certain precautions in taking Ezetimibe. Tell your doctor if you have/are
  • Allergic to Ezetimibe or other ingredients in it.
  • Current liver problem.
  • Pregnant / Breast feeding
  • Taking some other medicines.
  • The drug alone hasn’t been shown to prevent heart disease or heart attacks.
  • The drug is not recommended for children less than 10 years old.
  • It does not help you to lose weight.
  • Some people may get dizzy after taking Ezetimibe. Confirm your ability if you have to drive or use machinery.
  • Ask your Doctor if you want to stop taking Ezetimibe.

Cost of Ezetimibe (Generic & Brand).

Generic medicines are cheaper than brand ones. Generic drugs don’t include the cost of research and development of the drug. Other cost-saving methods also add to the reduction of their price.

Cost of Generic Ezetimibe.

Pack of 10 tablets of Ezetimibe (10mg) cost $ 9, per unit cost is $ 0.9.

Cost of Brand Zetia.

Pack of 10 tablets of Zetia (10mg) cost 118.32, per unit cost is $ 11.83.