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Suggest Alternative Medication In Place Of Tricor
Question: I have been on zetia and fish oil for 3 years for very high cholesterol because I can't take statins due to severe muscular problems. Have tried 3 different statins and one combination and get same muscular issues. My most recent cholesterol readings are "terrible" according to doctor. I have not yet received the exact readings so I can't tell you about readings of total, good and bad. He is recommending Tricor which appears to be in the same liver active range as Zetia which obviously hasn't worked. Any suggestions for different medication or do you need the exact readings?
Brief Answer:
The readings would help...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Very high cholesterol is not an accurate way to describe cholesterol levels because it may be perceived differently by different individuals/doctors. We usually prescribe treatment when cardiovascular risk exceeds a certain level. The cardiovascular risk also depends on the patient's age, smoking status, blood pressure (and treatment for it), sex and race. Other factors also come into play but these are the traditionally used factors to calculate it. If your doctor decided that she has to take drug treatment then I suppose her risk was high enough but I can't say without the readings.
Regarding the choice of treatment, make sure she has tried the weak statins like lovastatin, pravastatin in low doses and if she had the same problems (muscular pain) then statins cannot be used. Zetia is a much less potent alternative. Tricor is more effective against high triglycerides but it may help a bit with cholesterol levels as well (do not expect much though). Finally, phytosterols is another alternative that can be used in conjunction with the aforementioned solutions. Make sure her doctor approves any solution before instituting it.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis, Internal Medicine Specialist
The readings would help...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Very high cholesterol is not an accurate way to describe cholesterol levels because it may be perceived differently by different individuals/doctors. We usually prescribe treatment when cardiovascular risk exceeds a certain level. The cardiovascular risk also depends on the patient's age, smoking status, blood pressure (and treatment for it), sex and race. Other factors also come into play but these are the traditionally used factors to calculate it. If your doctor decided that she has to take drug treatment then I suppose her risk was high enough but I can't say without the readings.
Regarding the choice of treatment, make sure she has tried the weak statins like lovastatin, pravastatin in low doses and if she had the same problems (muscular pain) then statins cannot be used. Zetia is a much less potent alternative. Tricor is more effective against high triglycerides but it may help a bit with cholesterol levels as well (do not expect much though). Finally, phytosterols is another alternative that can be used in conjunction with the aforementioned solutions. Make sure her doctor approves any solution before instituting it.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis, Internal Medicine Specialist
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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