Side Effects of Statin Drugs

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Statins work by blocking the action of the liver enzyme that is responsible for producing cholesterol. Too much cholesterol in the blood can cause a buildup of plaque on the walls of the arteries. That buildup can eventually cause the arteries to narrow or harden. Sudden blood clots in these narrowed arteries can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Statins lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and total cholesterol levels. At the same time, they lower triglycerides and raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. Statins may also tend to stabilize plaques in the arteries. That makes sudden blood clots less likely.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle while taking statins can improve the effectiveness of this drug. Be sure to:

  • eat a balanced, heart-healthy diet
  • get regular physical activity
  • limit alcohol intake
  • avoid smoking

Most people who take statins tolerate them very well. But some people experience statin side effects.

The most common statin side effects include:

  • headache
  • difficulty sleeping
  • flushing of the skin
  • muscle aches, tenderness, or weakness
  • drowsiness/ weakness
  • dizziness
  • nausea and/or vomiting
  • abdominal cramping and/or pain
  • bloating and/or gas
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • rash

Myositis, which is inflammation of the muscles, can occur with statins. The risk of muscle injury increases when certain other medications are coupled with statin use. For example, if you take a combination of a statin and a fibrate -- another cholesterol-reducing drug -- the risk of muscle damage increases greatly compared to someone who takes a statin alone.

Other dangers of statins include other muscle conditions, which can be serious in rare cases. First, there can be statin muscle pain. Known as myalgia, this pain can generally be resolved quickly by discontinuing the medication. Myalgias may be uncomfortable, but, medically speaking, they’re harmless.

Statins can also cause your CPK levels to be mildly elevated. CPK or creatine kinase is a muscle enzyme that can be measured in the bloodstream. Muscle pain, mild inflammation, and possibly weakness are also seen. This condition, though uncommon, can take a long while to resolve.

The third and most severe serious side effect of statins is called rhabdomyolysis. Muscles all over the body become painful and weakened because of extreme muscle inflammation and damage. CPK levels are extremely elevated as well. The kidneys can become overworked trying to eliminate a large amount of muscle breakdown caused by statin use. The severely damaged muscles release proteins into the blood that collect in the kidneys, thereby causing damage. This can ultimately lead to kidney failure or even death. Fortunately, rhabdomyolysis is extremely rare. It occurs in less than one in 10,000 cases.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Ever more lowering cholesterol and taking statins what is the evidence cholesterol is the principal problem and statins necessary to lower it? What are the steps in this theory tested first to last? My cardiologist can only say:" we have good studies". My G.P. lent me glossy brochures about trials recruitment and statements as conclusions without evidence.
January 22, 2009 at 12:21 AM
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