In general, cholesterol treatment begins with lifestyle changes (weight loss, exercise, and a low-cholesterol diet). If lifestyle changes alone do not lower cholesterol to a desirable level, medication such as Mevacor may be necessary.
Because Mevacor can lower LDL cholesterol (along with lowering total cholesterol and increasing HDL), people can lower their risk for developing problems related to high cholesterol by taking it.
For most people, Mevacor is quite effective in lowering cholesterol. It is also generally well tolerated. However, side effects can occur, and people may wish to consider a substitute. These substitutes could include other statins or other cholesterol medicines.