What lipid-lowering medications can be chosen for diabetic patients?

In general, lipid-lowering medications available for patients with diabetes include atorvastatin calcium tablets, metformin hydrochloride tablets, acarbose tablets, sitagliptin phosphate tablets, and dapagliflozin tablets. Patients are advised to take these medications under the guidance of a physician. If any physical discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention is recommended. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets

Atorvastatin calcium is a potent statin drug that effectively lowers blood levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in the liver. For diabetic patients, this helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

2. Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets

Metformin hydrochloride acts on the liver to inhibit gluconeogenesis and reduce hepatic glucose output. It also acts on peripheral tissues such as muscle and fat, enhancing glycogen synthesis in muscles, reducing free fatty acids, improving insulin sensitivity, and increasing glucose uptake and utilization, thereby helping control blood lipid levels.

3. Acarbose Tablets

Acarbose is an α-glucosidase inhibitor that delays the breakdown and absorption of polysaccharides in the intestine, reduces triglyceride levels, and increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). This slows the rise in postprandial blood glucose and helps regulate blood lipids, thus improving post-meal hyperglycemia in diabetic patients.

4. Sitagliptin Phosphate Tablets

Sitagliptin phosphate is an antidiabetic drug that selectively inhibits the enzyme responsible for degrading incretin hormones, thereby increasing circulating incretin concentrations. This allows incretins to exert their full physiological effects, effectively enhancing the body’s natural ability to regulate blood glucose, lowering blood sugar, and helping control lipid levels.

5. Dapagliflozin Tablets

Dapagliflozin works by inhibiting the expression of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2), reducing renal reabsorption of glucose and promoting urinary excretion of glucose, thereby lowering blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. Additionally, dapagliflozin can reduce triglyceride levels and increase HDL-C, exerting a positive effect on improving lipid abnormalities in diabetic patients.

In daily life, self-medication should be strictly avoided to prevent adverse effects and harm to health. Moreover, it is recommended to consume foods rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients—such as eggs, lean meat, tomatoes, and apples—to provide essential energy and help maintain overall health.