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Re-activateYou've previously warned against mixing two types of cholesterol-lowering drugs: niacin and any of the statins. But my doctor has prescribed such a combination for me. Is that dangerous? —L.P., Ann Arbor, Mich.
Possibly, but the risks can be managed safely. Each of those drugs on its own can, in rare cases, cause abnormal liver function, and statins can trigger muscle-tissue damage; pairing them increases that risk. But the combination can be useful: While statins do a better job of lowering "bad" LDL cholesterol, niacin is superior for raising "good" HDL cholesterol and reducing artery-clogging triglycerides. So combining them is often worth the increased risk in people who have high LDL and triglyceride levels and a low HDL. But be sure your doctor checks your liver function periodically. And watch for side effects, such as muscle pain or weakness, which can be early warning signs of muscle or liver damage.
For more on statins for lowering cholesterol, see our Best Buy Drugs special report.
—Aaron Bailey
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