Final answer:
Cholesterol-lowering medications, such as statins, inhibit HMG-CoA reductase to reduce cholesterol synthesis in the body. Statins may be combined with other treatments under medical supervision to manage high cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk.
Step-by-step explanation:
Current cholesterol-lowering medications primarily act by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme is crucial in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Statins, for instance, are a class of drugs that reduce cholesterol levels by blocking this enzyme, thereby decreasing the production of cholesterol within the body. Medications like atorvastatin (Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (Crestor) are common examples of statins. In addition to statins, other treatments for high cholesterol may include nicotinic acids, fibrates, ezetimibe, niacin, bile acid sequestrants, and plant sterol-containing products.
Because statins are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, they effectively lower cholesterol levels synthesized by the body. While dietary modifications are the initial approach to reducing cholesterol, many patients require medications like statins to further reduce cardiovascular risk. Some patients may also be prescribed combination treatments, such as statins with fibrates, although this is done under close supervision due to the increased risk of side effects like myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.