In general, the treatment for high cholesterol includes:

• Weight loss if you are overweight
• Eat a healthy diet:
• Eat a low cholesterol diet.
• Eat a low fat diet.
• High fiber diet
• Follow an exercise plan developed with your doctor.
• Vitamin B supplements
• Hypercholesterolemia clinical trials

Medications are used when weight loss, change of diet and exercise do not reduce cholesterol levels. The most effective medications used to treat high cholesterol are called statins.

Statin medications for high cholesterol:

• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Fluvastatin (Lescol)
• Lovastatin (Mevacor)
• Lovastatin extended release (Altocor)
• Pitavastatin (Livalo)
• Pravastatin (Pravachol)
• Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
• Simvastatin (Zocor)

Additional medications include:

• Cholesterol-binding resins
• Fibric acid derivative medications
• Medications that contain niacin
• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
• Drug combinations:
• Typically combine two of the above in one drug preparation

Medications may be recommended when:

• HDL level is less than 30
• LDL level is greater than 160
• LDL level is greater than 100 and you are at high risk for a heart attack
• Total blood cholesterol level is over 240 mg/dL
• Total blood cholesterol level is over 200 mg/dL and you have a high risk for a heart attack.
• Teenagers with a total cholesterol over 200 mg/dL