Guest guest Posted July 14, 2002 Report Share Posted July 14, 2002 Zocor is the trade name for one of the cholesterol lowering agents I mentioned, simvastatin. It works by preventing the conversion of some fats into cholesterol in the liver. It also induces some changes in cholesterol transport and deposition in the blood and tissues. It does this by decreasing the synthesis of LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins, the bad cholesterol) and by increasing the catabolism or breakdown of LDL. It's a good drug and reasonably safe. My Mother is on this drug. Fibrates such as fenofibrate (Lipidil and Lipidil Supra) reduce cholesterol by lowering LDL and especially VLDL (Very Low Density Lipoproteins) and by raising HDL (High Density Lipoproteins, the good cholesterol). VLDL contain triglycerides which are another very bad form of lipid. Some people have excessively high levels of VLDL and they are then susceptable to pancreatitis. The exact mechanism of how fibrates work has not been elucidated. For some people fibrates are a better choice than statin drugs like Zocor, Lipitor (Atovastatin), Pravastatin, etc. Aubrey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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