Question: I can’t tolerate statins. What can I do to control my cholesterol? I already eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

Dr. Hibberd's answer:
You could consider other cholesterol-lowering medications. Ezetimibe (Zetia), a cholesterol absorption inhibitor medication, may be less likely to cause muscle pain than statins, or may reduce muscle pain when taken with a statin. However, some researchers question the effectiveness of ezetimibe compared with statins in terms of its ability to lower your cholesterol. Coenzyme Q10 supplements may help to prevent statin side effects in some people. If you'd like to try adding coenzyme Q10 to your treatment, talk to your doctor first to make sure the supplement won't interact with any of your other medications. Your doctor may suggest fibrates, which are known to reduce triglycerides and increase “good cholesterol” HDL. Niacin is also seen as beneficial in controlling cholesterol, however, may cause unwanted side-effects.