Which medications are typically used to treat high cholesterol?

Statins are a class of medications specifically designed to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. They work by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver that is responsible for producing cholesterol, thereby reducing the overall levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. Elevated LDL cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes. Statins not only help lower LDL cholesterol but can also have a modest effect on raising high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is considered "good" cholesterol.

In contrast, antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, analgesics are used to reduce pain, and antidepressants are prescribed for mood disorders. These other classes of medications do not have any direct role in managing cholesterol levels, highlighting the specific function of statins in cholesterol treatment.