Which medication is used to lower cholesterol levels?

Atorvastatin is a medication belonging to a class of drugs known as statins, which are specifically designed to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Statins work by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, a key player in the production of cholesterol in the liver. By reducing the amount of cholesterol the liver produces, atorvastatin effectively lowers levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, while also modestly increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known as "good" cholesterol.

This cholesterol-lowering effect is important because elevated LDL levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and stroke. Atorvastatin has been shown to be effective in both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with high cholesterol, making it a cornerstone in the management of dyslipidemia.

The other medications mentioned have different primary uses. Insulin is primarily used to manage blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes. Repaglinide is also an antidiabetic medication, used to stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreas. Metformin is another antihyperglycemic agent, primarily used to improve insulin sensitivity in individuals with type 2 diabetes