Our findings are significant because they are further evidence that side effects from statins are minimal. Some of the side effects could also be from the typical aches and pains of getting older. Our study suggests that the reported side effects of statins are not caused by the statin themselves but by the effect of taking a tablet. Previous studies have shown that statins are safe and effective at preventing serious health conditions but some patients stop taking or refuse the drug due to reported side effects, potentially increasing their risk of heart attack and stroke in the long-term. “Statins are life-saving treatments that can help prevent the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular disease. Statin use and the risk of cataracts: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Dr James Howard, study co-author, explained: The role of statins in both cognitive impairment and protection against dementia: A tale of two mechanisms. Summarizing the current state of evidence on efficacy and safety of statin therapy. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. We link primary sources - including studies, scientific references, and statistics - within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. protease inhibitors, a treatment for AIDS.fibrate drugs, which also lower LDL cholesterol levels.verapamil, a drug often used for similar purposes.diltiazem (Cardizem), a drug often used to treat high blood pressure, angina, or arrhythmias.clarithromycin (Biaxin), another antibiotic.It is typically not safe to combine statins with: People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or intending to become pregnant should not take statins. If liver disease develops while taking a statin, the person’s doctor may recommend reducing the dosage of the statin, switching statins, or stopping their use. If the liver disease is progressive, however, guidelines warn against using statins. If the liver disease is stable and chronic, taking a low-dose statin may carry greater benefits than risks. The condition is more common in people who take a statin in combination with another drug that carries rhabdomyolysis risk or raises the level of statin in the blood.īefore prescribing a statin to anyone with liver disease, a doctor should thoroughly discuss the risks and possible benefits. Rhabdomyolysis initially causes muscle pain and can worsen to cause significant muscle breakdown or kidney failure. According to a 2018 review, statins may cause temporary memory impairment, but they may also have a protective effect against age-related cognitive decline. In addition, statins may slightly increase a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes.įinally, statins may be linked with memory problems, though the evidence has been mixed. However, a 2017 review found no clear evidence of this. More rarely still, a severe type of muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis may occur, in an estimated 2–3 in 100,000 people taking this type of drug per year.Īlso, some research has linked statin use with cataracts. The damage is typically reversible once the person stops taking the statin. Specifically, statins may lead to muscle damage in 1 in 10,000 people who take this type of drug each year. The two most serious side effects are liver failure and skeletal muscle damage. Most people who take statins have minor side effects, if any. People who are taking simvastatin, atorvastatin, or lovastatin should avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice to reduce the risk of an interaction. For instance, Vytorin is a combination of simvastatin, which is a statin, and ezetimibe, a drug that reduces the absorption of dietary cholesterol. In addition, statins can lower the amount of fats, called triglycerides, in the blood.Ītorvastatin and rosuvastatin are the most potent, while fluvastatin is the least.Ĭombination drugs are also available. Statins can also raise levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol. People sometimes refer to this type as “bad” cholesterol. Statins can reduce the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the body. They are also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. These drugs block the action of a liver enzyme that helps produce cholesterol. Doctors typically prescribe statins to lower blood cholesterol levels.

Side effect of statins