Last week, we looked at a variety of lifestyle changes that can help increase your levels of HDL, the ''good'' cholesterol. However, for many people, lifestyle changes are difficult and fail to have the desired effect.

Here are a number of drug products that may help you increase HDL to levels that are more protective against heart disease:

1. Hormone replacement therapy - While there are still questions about the cardioprotective effect of HRT in post-menopausal women, it has been shown that HDL increases in women taking estrogen alone and the combination of estrogen and progestin.
   
2. Niacin - Used longer than any of the other lipid-lowering agents, this vitamin raises HDL while lowering LDL and triglycerides.
   
3. Fibric acid derivatives - Available in the US as Lopid and Tricor, these drugs lower triglycerides significantly and also raise HDL levels.
   
4. Statins - While these are the preferred agents for lowering lipids, their record in raising HDL is not as clear. Only 3 of these drugs have been approved for treating low HDL levels: Lipitor, Baycol, and Zocor.

All of these have side effects, of course. But you might want to review your options with your healthcare provider if your HDL levels remain lower than 45 mg/dL after trying lifestyle modifications.