People may come into contact with various medications to varying degrees in their lives, but it is believed that most people are unaware that some of these drugs can increase blood lipid levels, thereby causing serious harm to their own health. To help everyone minimize the risk, experts here introduce several common medications that can raise blood lipid levels.
1. Antihypertensive Drugs
In addition to nifedipine, compound reserpine tablets are also one of the commonly used antihypertensive drugs. After patients take the medication, their blood pressure decreases slowly, but their triglycerides and cholesterol levels increase significantly. This drug also reduces high-density lipoprotein, which makes it easier for cholesterol in the blood to rise.
2. Diuretics
Long-term use of hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone, which are diuretics, can increase serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Studies have found that taking 50-150 mg of hydrochlorothiazide daily for 3-6 consecutive months can increase triglycerides by 43.2%, cholesterol by 29.3%, very-low-density lipoprotein by 17.8%, and low-density lipoprotein by 10%, while high-density lipoprotein decreases by 12%, which is very detrimental to health.
3. Beta-Blockers
Propranolol is one of the currently commonly used beta-blockers. Taking propranolol for 2 months can increase serum triglyceride levels and decrease high-density lipoprotein levels. After six months of use, serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels also increase, so it should not be used for long periods.
4. Phenytoin Sodium
Phenytoin sodium is an older antiepileptic drug that also has anti-anxiety and antiarrhythmic effects and is widely used in clinical practice. If taken orally for 3-6 consecutive months, it can cause an average increase of 19% in blood cholesterol.
5. Antipsychotic Drugs
For example, taking chlorpromazine orally for 9 weeks can significantly increase serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. Additionally, these drugs can affect the activity of certain lipoprotein metabolic enzymes, disrupting lipid metabolism and causing abnormal blood lipid levels.
6. Oral Contraceptives
Studies have found that women taking oral contraceptives have significantly increased levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides; the effect on high-density lipoprotein depends on the ratio of estrogen and progestogen in the oral contraceptive. Therefore, women must choose oral contraceptives rationally under the guidance of a specialist and should undergo regular blood lipid checks. Once abnormal blood lipid levels are detected, they should switch to other oral contraceptives under a doctor's guidance.
Therefore, patients taking any of these medications should have their blood lipids checked regularly. If an increase in blood lipids or blood viscosity is detected, targeted lipid-lowering drugs should be used, or other medications should be switched to under a doctor's guidance.