DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVES OR MEDICATION TO AID/CURE THOSE DIFFERENT ILLNESSES

Statins simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), and pravastatin (Pravachol) help lower LDL
cholesterol and/or triglycerides, thereby reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis and
heart disease. The most common side effects of statins are headache, nausea, vomiting,
gastrointestinal issues, rash, weakness, and muscle pain.

Nicotinic acid (niacin) is a B vitamin that increases HDL cholesterol and lowers LDL cholesterol
and triglycerides when taken at levels higher than dietary requirements. Taking nicotinic acid
helps reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis.

Bile acid sequestrants lower LDL cholesterol, although somewhat less effectively than statins.
These medications work by binding with bile acids in the intestines and forcing them to be
eliminated in the stool rather than absorbed. As more bile is lost, more cholesterol from the
body is used up to make additional bile. Reducing LDL cholesterol helps to prevent the
development of atherosclerosis, a major contributor to heart disease. The most common side
effects of bile acid sequestrants are gastrointestinal, such as constipation, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Clinical trials with fibrates show that they are particularly effective in reducing cardiovascular
risk in patients with type 2 diabetes/metabolic syndrome and in those exhibiting the lipid
abnormalities typical of diabetic dyslipidemia (elevated triglycerides, low HDL-cholesterol).

Thiazolidinedione are medications used to manage and treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. These
medications may be acting as a nuclear transcription regulator and an insulin sensitizer.