Which drug class is commonly prescribed for hyperlipidemia?

Statins are the drug class commonly prescribed for hyperlipidemia, which is a condition characterized by elevated levels of lipids (fats) in the blood, particularly cholesterol. Statins work by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme crucial for the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. This action leads to a decrease in the production of cholesterol and an increase in the liver's ability to remove LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol from the bloodstream, thereby lowering overall cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.

In contrast, beta-blockers are primarily used to manage hypertension and certain types of heart disease, calcium channel blockers help to control blood pressure and treat angina by relaxing blood vessels, and thiazide diuretics are diuretics used to treat high blood pressure and edema by promoting the excretion of sodium and water. These classes of medications do not address lipid levels directly, making statins the first-line treatment for hyperlipidemia.