#Side effect of statins trial

A 2018 review concluded that it is possible statins cause both short-term, reversible memory loss in a certain subset of people and protect against the development of dementia. Numerous other reports have attempted to clear up this confusion. One study blamed it on the nocebo effect again, because people are told by their doctor to report any changes in memory when they start a statin. Others have found an association between statin use and memory loss and confusion, prompting the FDA to order labeling changes on all statins.

Some large studies have shown no effect, and have implied that statins pose no threat to short-term memory and may, in fact, prevent dementia. The link between statins and memory loss is controversial. A more gradual approach will lessen the likelihood of muscle pain. While it is important to keep exercising, try and avoid unaccustomed vigorous exercise.

#Side effect of statins trial

There is no convincing medical evidence that coenzyme Q10 helps with statin-induced muscle pain however, anecdotally some people have reported benefits and a one-to-two-month trial of the supplement may determine if it helps you. Taking a temporary break from a statin may determine if the statin is to blame for the muscle pain, but do not stop taking your statin without consulting your doctor first. Sometimes just changing your statin can resolve the muscle pain other times a reduction in dosage may be needed. On very rare occasions, a life-threatening condition called rhabdomyolysis (rab-doe-my-OL-ih-sis), which is the rapid breakdown of muscle tissue, can occur. But if you do develop muscle problems, especially if they are severe enough to make your daily activities difficult, talk with your doctor. Blood tests can measure for a specific enzyme called creatine kinase, which can suggest the likely cause might be statins, although other conditions (such as a heart attack) can raise creatine kinase levels as well. Medical professionals estimate the true occurrence of muscle pain is approximately 50-100 out of 10,000 (0.5-1%) people treated over five years. Reported rates range from 0.3 to 33% probably due to the different ways muscle pain is described (such as muscle weakness, cramps, or muscle pain) and the fact patients are usually told to “ Watch out for muscle problems!”, which tends to lead to an over-reporting of muscle complaints, commonly called the “ nocebo” effect.īut, yes, statins do cause muscle pain, although the exact way they do this is not completely understood. Statins and Muscle Painĭetermining exactly how many people suffer from muscle pain associated with statins is difficult. People who drink large amounts of alcohol or who take other medicines that may interact with statins are also more likely to develop side effects. Not everybody who takes a statin has side effects, and they tend to be more common in women, seniors, and in people with liver or kidney disease.

But what are the serious side effects of statins? Statins: Serious Side Effects Surveys have also shown that only 32% of people take statins exactly as prescribed by their doctor with many citing side effects as reasons for forgoing the pills on certain days or just not taking them at all. But there are also experts who have challenged these findings.

This benefit increased year on year for the first five years and was more significant in people who had already had at least one previous vascular event. A review of 27 large trials showed that decreasing LDL-cholesterol (often referred to as “bad” cholesterol) levels by 1mmol/L (40mg/dL) reduced the risk of a major vascular event (such as a stroke or a heart attack) by 25% within two years. That’s because cholesterol is vital for our survival and involved in the formation of bile acids, cells, hormones, and vitamin D.īut sometimes our bodies make too much cholesterol and research shows that people with high cholesterol are at higher risk of having heart disease, a heart attack or a stroke. Yep, that’s right…our bodies make cholesterol, mostly in the liver, as well as getting it from our diet. They work on an enzyme that is used by our body to make cholesterol. Statins are one of the most common medicines prescribed in the U.S., with more than 35 million people taking them. Statins available in the United States include atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Altoprev), pitavastatin (Livalo), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor). If you have high cholesterol, then chances are you have heard of statins. Written by Carmen Pope, BPharm on Sep 10, 2018. Statins for high cholesterol: Are the benefits worth the risk?