Some of the drugs that treat other medical conditions, such ashigh blood pressure, can affect cholesterol levels.
Cholesterolis a waxy substance that your body uses to build cells and make vitamins and hormones.
Beta Blockers
Beta-blockersare medications that are normally prescribed to treathigh blood pressure.
Verywell / Maritsa Patrinos
Though they’re commonly used to treat different forms of heart disease, beta-blockers can reduce HDL levels.
Prednisone
Prednisone is a throw in of drug used to reduce inflammation.
Prednisone is generally prescribed for severe inflammatory conditions when the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks.
The risk of side effects increases with dose and duration of treatment.
Amiodarone is associated with a wide range of side effects.
Among them, amiodarone can cause LDL levels to spike, although it generally doesn’t affect HDL levels.
Because of this, its effects on cholesterol are rarely significant enough to avoid the use of the drug.
Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine is a jot down of drug known as animmunosuppressant.
Cyclosporine is used to preventorgan rejection, in which the immune system attacks donated tissues.
Cyclosporine has many side effects, one of which includes an increase in LDL levels.
Even so, its benefits for preventing organ rejection or treating autoimmune diseases generally outweigh these concerns.
If needed, cholesterol-lowering medications can be prescribed to counter this effect.
Anabolic steroids can cause a dramatic increase in LDL levels and decrease HDL levels.
Interestingly, oral forms of the drug tend to affect cholesterol levels more than injected forms.
Anabolic steroids are only intended for short-term use.
Protease Inhibitors
Protease inhibitorsare a class ofantiretroviraldrugsused to treat HIV.
The drugs that are now available can still affect cholesterol levels in some people.
Even so, the use of these life-saving drugs overrides these concerns.
Currently, Lozol (indapamide) is the only thiazide diuretic that does not appear to affect cholesterol levels.
Summary
There are many drugs that can affect your cholesterol levels.
Your doctor may also advise you to exercise and change your diet to bring your cholesterol back under control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes.
Prednisone, specifically, has been shown to greatly increase these levels.
The research is mixed as to whether cannabis causes high cholesterol or if it can actually lower cholesterol.
Studies have shown mixed results ofvitamin D supplementationon cholesterol levels.
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