Which medications can increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol?
Under normal circumstances, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) plays a role in transporting cholesterol and protecting blood vessels, and low levels may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. If medications are needed to increase this index, patients may follow medical advice to use drugs such as pravastatin sodium tablets, simvastatin tablets, fenofibrate capsules, axidimos capsules, and niacin tablets. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Pravastatin Sodium Tablets
Pravastatin sodium belongs to the statin class of drugs. By inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in the liver, it indirectly promotes the synthesis and secretion of HDL-C while enhancing HDL-C's ability to transport cholesterol, thereby increasing its levels in the blood. It is suitable for patients with hyperlipidemia accompanied by low HDL-C levels.
2. Simvastatin Tablets
Simvastatin is also a statin drug. It inhibits the key enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis, reduces the production of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), upregulates the expression of HDL-C receptors, promotes its metabolic cycle, increases HDL-C levels, helps improve the lipid profile, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
3. Fenofibrate Capsules
Fenofibrate belongs to the fibrate class of drugs. It mainly activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), promoting the liver's synthesis of HDL-C. At the same time, it accelerates the breakdown of very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), indirectly increasing HDL-C levels. It is suitable for patients with elevated triglycerides and accompanying low HDL-C levels.
4. Axidimos Capsules
Axidimos is a derivative of niacin. It inhibits the release of free fatty acids from adipose tissue, reduces the liver's synthesis of triglycerides, thereby promoting the synthesis and release of HDL-C. It also delays the metabolic breakdown of HDL-C, effectively increasing its blood concentration. It is suitable for patients with various types of hyperlipidemia.
5. Niacin Tablets
Niacin belongs to the B group of vitamins. When used in large doses, it acts on the fat metabolism process, inhibiting the liver's synthesis of LDL-C and triglycerides while promoting the synthesis of HDL-C and increasing its levels. It is suitable for patients with persistently low HDL-C levels even after dietary control requires pharmacological intervention.
It is important to develop good lifestyle habits, increase aerobic exercise such as jogging or swimming, and consume foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as nuts and deep-sea fish, while avoiding excessive intake of high-fat and high-sugar foods. These measures can help improve HDL-C levels.