In the gut, they bind bile acids and prevent their reabsorption. The result is an increased excretion of bile acids and lower levels of LDL in plasma. The most common side effects are constipation , bloating, heartburn , and diarrhea . Severe side effects may occur with even low doses of neomycin. Nausea , abdominal cramps, diarrhea , and malabsorption may occur.
Statins are currently the most powerful cholesterol lowering drugs available.
These drugs mainly differ in their potency, ability to lower triglycerides and cost. We generally think of cholesterol in a negative sense due to its participation in forming the damaging plaques in blood vessels present in atherosclerosis. However, it is used in the synthesis of steroid hormones and bile acids , and is an important as component of cell membranes . In addition to the cholesterol consumed in the diet, the body also makes cholesterol. The statins, also referred to as the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, inhibit this enzyme, decreasing the ability of the cell to synthesize cholesterol.