Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for treating cardiovascular disease and reducing the adverse effects induced by the administration of statins. In particular, disclosed is the use of antisense compounds to augment the expression of mirR-33 and associated genetic elements. In particular methods of the treatment of cardiovascular disease and the modulation of miR-33 levels is disclosed as well as treatment of the secondary effects including cholestasis, induced by the administration of statins is disclosed. Also disclosed is the treatment of Benign Recurrent Intrahepatic Cholestasis and reverse cholesterol transport. The disclosed methods and compositions may be practiced separately or co-administered with satins to reduce or treat statin induced secondary effects.