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Statins.

Statins lower cholesterol (mainly LDL cholesterol) by increasing cholesterol removal from blood.  Statins currently on the market include:

Crestor (rosuvastatin) made by AstraZeneca.

Pravachol (pravastatin) made by Bristol Myers Squibb.  Pravastatin is also available in generic form.

Lipitor (atorvastatin) made by Pfizer.

Zocor (simvastatin) made by Merck.  Simvastatin is also available in generic form.

Lescol (fluvastatin), made by Novartis.

Pitavastatin (recently made available in US), made by Novartis. Licensed by Kowa.

Lovastatin, the first statin widely used, is available in generic form.

Fibrates.

Fibrates lower triglycerides (and VLDL cholesterol) by increasing triglyceride removal from blood. Fibrates also increase the amount of HDL made and can increase HDL by up to 12%.  Recent studies have shown that diabetic patients with high plasma triglyceride AND low HDL levels get the most benefit from fibrate treatment.

Fenofibrate, available as a generic is also marketed as: 

    - Tricor (fenofibrate) made by Abbott. 

    - Lipofen (fenofibrate) made by ProEthic Pharmaceuticals. 

    - Antara (fenofibrate) made by Oscient Pharmaceuticals.

    - Fenoglide (low-dose fenofibrate, 40 mg) made by Sciele Pharma / LifeCycle 

      Pharma.

     -Fibricor (fenofibric acid) made by URL Pharma.

     -Trilipix (fenofibric acid) made by Abbott.

Gemfibrozil, marketed as Lopid (Pfizer) or Gemcor.

Bezafibrate, marketed as Bezalip (Roche)

Ciprofibrate, marketed as Modalim (Sanofi-Aventis).

Niacin.

Niacin lowers cholesterol (mainly LDL cholesterol) and increases HDL.  It is available in immediate release and extended release formulations.  Niacin is typically given as an escalating dose to minimize side effects such as itching and flushing.  Niacin and niacin derivatives currently on the market include:

Niacin (vitamin B6, immediate release) is made by a number of companies specializing in drug supplements.

Niaspan (extended release Niacin) made by Abbott.

Niacor (immediate release Niacin) made by Upsher-Smith.

Simcor (simvastatin + extended release niaspan) made by Abbott.

Olbetam (Acipimox). A niacin derivative approved outside the US.

Cholesterol absorption inhibitors.

Cholesterol absorption inbibitors lower cholesterol (mainly LDL cholesterol) by preventing cholesterol from being absorbed by the gut.  Sterol absorption inhibitors currently on the market include:

Cholestagel (colsevelam) made by Genzyme. 

Cholebine (Colestilan) made by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma.  Apprroved for use in Japan and in phase III developement in the US.

Zetia (ezetimibe) made by Schering Plough Ezetimibe.

Welchol (colsevelam) made by Daiichi Sanyo.