Hyperlipidaemia: mechanism of action and adverse effects
The following table compares the side-effects of drugs used in hyperlipidaemia:
| Drugs | Mechanism of action | Adverse effects |
|---|---|---|
| Statins | HMG CoA reductase inhibitors | Myositis, deranged LFTs |
| Ezetimibe | Decreases cholesterol absorption in the small intestine | Headache |
| Nicotinic acid | Decreases hepatic VLDL secretion | Flushing, myositis |
| Fibrates | Agonist of PPAR-alpha therefore increases lipoprotein lipase expression | Myositis, pruritus, cholestasis |
| Cholestyramine | Decreases bile acid reabsorption in the small intestine, upregulating the amount of cholesterol that is converted to bile acid | GI side-effects |