Diabetes and Cholesterol Medications Overview

When the pipes in the bathroom sink are clogged, you pour in some liquid drain cleaner. Too bad you can't do the same thing for your arteries, but medications can do the next best thing: Keep cholesterol and other gunk from accumulating in the first place. If your doctor hasn't prescribed a pill for improving your blood fats yet, there's a good chance he or she will sooner or later. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 70 to 97 percent of people with diabetes have unhealthy levels of cholesterol or triglycerides.

High cholesterol or triglyceride levels can be treated with medication.
High cholesterol or triglyceride levels, common in diabetics,
can be treated with medication.

The medications discussed in this article may help keep your pipes clear, but there are some additional considerations if you have diabetes. Continue to the next page to learn about the first one -- statins.

For more information on diabetes, and its effect on cholesterol and the heart, try the following links:

  • Diabetes and Heart Disease explains the relationship between these two conditions.
  • Diabetes Symptoms covers the diverse signs of the disease, from increased thirst and hunger to sudden weight loss.
  • To learn more about diabetes in general, including diagnosis, causes, symptoms, and treatment, visit our main Diabetes page.
  • For more information on cholesterol and its effect on your health, read How Cholesterol Works.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.