HMGCR and familial hypercholesterolemia: Among patients with hypercholesterolemia, 22% (12 of 55) were taking lipid-lowering medication (HMG CoA reductase inhibitors) and 22% (12 of 55) were taking medication to control diabetes (metformin, 4%; sulfonamide urea, 4%; and insulin, 14%) at the start of the study.