Statins Side Effects: Pain, Inflammation, and More

what is statin drugs

Some side effects go away as the body adjusts to the medicine. For example, before tracking, I would’ve told you that one glass of wine had zero effect on my shut-eye. When I have a drink, my resting heart rate is higher, my heart rate variability (a measure of recovery and stress resilience) is lower, and I get less restorative deep sleep. While I still occasionally have wine, I now fully understand what the trade-off for that drink is. “Eat more protein and fiber” is probably the least inspiring advice ever. “Find an activity you like that challenges your cardiovascular system, and consistently strive to improve your performance,” says Galpin.

Bottom Line from The People’s Pharmacy:

That said, no one statin is the safest option for everyone because several factors can cause this to vary among individuals. You can stop taking a statin any time, but don’t do so without speaking with your doctor first. You will need to discuss why you want to stop taking it and the risks if you do stop. Since their arrival on the market, statins have been among the most prescribed drugs in the U.S., with up to 92 million users. There are no specific warnings not to drink alcohol while taking a statin. That said, drinking alcohol can increase your LDL and triglycerides.

what is statin drugs

Statin Answers: Straight Facts About Cholesterol Drugs

Other studies suggest that statins may help prevent these issues. But tell your healthcare professional about any unusual symptoms you might have after starting statin therapy. They may want to decrease your dose or try a different statin. Never stop taking a statin without talking to your healthcare team first. If your cholesterol — particularly the LDL (“bad”) type — stays high after you make healthy lifestyle changes, statins might be an option for you. I’ve always prided myself on maintaining peak physical fitness.

More on Cholesterol Management

what is statin drugs

Atherosclerosis can develop and form plaques even when blood cholesterol levels are low. Statins may benefit people who already have atherosclerosis or have a high risk of developing it, even if they do not have high cholesterol levels. People usually take statins to reduce high cholesterol and prevent atherosclerosis, lowering the risk of heart disease in the process.

Because of this, many people stop taking statins,[91] which have been proven in numerous large-scale RCTs to reduce heart attacks, stroke, and deaths[92] – as long as people continue to take them. Having too much cholesterol in the blood increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Statins block an enzyme the liver kidney cleanse: does it work 2-day plan and risks needs to make cholesterol. This causes the liver to remove cholesterol from the blood. Whether you need to take statins depends on your cholesterol levels and overall heart health. Cholesterol is the waxy substance found in the blood, and high levels of LDL or “bad” cholesterol can put you at risk of plaque buildup.

what is statin drugs

Here is a link to the article so you can print it and have a conversation about the data. This was the first study to show that statins could offer a real benefit. At the end of that study the drug improved survival over placebo by the grand total of 27 days. Cholesterol-lowering statin medications have a long history of successfully treating and lowering cholesterol levels. The longer people take statins, the more science learns about the possible side effects. That’s why the FDA recently released new guidelines for statin use.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for a lot of health-related issues. Among other responsibilities, the FDA issues warnings about medication side effects and problems. Recently, they released a new set of guidelines designed to help doctors and patients better manage the use of statins for treating high cholesterol. The following sections present information that can help you better understand these guidelines and how they affect you. Doctors do not recommend any statins for people who have active liver disease or take medications that interact with them.

If you’re over age 75, some research suggests you may be at higher risk of muscle problems related to statins. But for many older adults, the benefits of statins for preventing heart alcohol use disorder and depressive disorders alcohol research attack and stroke outweigh this risk. Statins may not be suitable for people who have certain medical conditions or are taking medications that could interact with statins.

  1. Your doctor can help determine if the side effects are related to the medication and recommend appropriate actions.
  2. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark urine.
  3. “About 80% to 90% of the time, heart disease is preventable through modifiable risk factors,” Steinbaum says.
  4. Some statins may not be suitable for some people including those with a recent history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
  5. Statins do this by blocking your body’s production of an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase.

If it’s high because of a high HDL number, your health is not necessarily in danger. However, if it’s high because your LDL cholesterol level is high, it’s important to talk with your doctor about your health . Also, ask your healthcare professional if the statin you use will interact with any other medicines or supplements you take. If your risk is very high — for example, you’ve had a heart attack in the past — a statin may be helpful even if you don’t have high cholesterol.

You may also want to ask your provider if you need to avoid grapefruit or pomegranate or their juices, or if it’s OK to have a small amount. These foods can make it hard for your body to break some statins down, allowing too much of the drug to build up in your body. Statins get in the way when your liver is trying to make cholesterol. Like a good basketball player who doesn’t let an opponent get the ball, statins don’t let your liver have an enzyme (HMG CoA reductase) it needs to create cholesterol.

Starting to take statins can be a positive step in managing your heart health, especially if you’re at high risk. Statins effectively lower cholesterol and reduce the chances of heart attack and stroke. Statins are prescription drugs people take to lower their level of LDL or “bad” cholesterol that biofeedback therapy builds up in arteries. Statins work by interfering when your liver makes cholesterol. Your healthcare provider will look at your specific situation and decide if a statin is right for you. The FDA warns on statin labels that some people have developed memory loss or confusion while taking statins.

Whether or not you choose to take a statin, lifestyle changes still matter. The same study also grouped participants into categories of male and female, finding that the statin lowered LDL cholesterol equally well for both categories. The very first statin, called lovastatin, was approved in the United States in 1987.

In rare cases, statins may change how the body processes glucose (blood sugar). For this reason, statins can cause a small increase in your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you’re concerned about this risk, talk with your doctor. In rare cases, they can even cause muscle cells to break down. When that happens, your muscle cells release a protein called myoglobin into your bloodstream. Statins do this by blocking your body’s production of an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase.

Take atorvastatin tablet orally once daily with or without food. Many people ask when to take atorvastatin morning or night? It can be taken any time of the day, but try and take it at the same time each day. Atorvastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Approximately one in three American adults have high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This type of cholesterol is commonly called “bad” cholesterol. As LDL levels in the blood rise, plaque settles on artery walls. Eventually, the arteries and vessels may become blocked entirely. Statins are drugs that doctors prescribe to lower LDL cholesterol.

Although there is no research to prove it yet, some people believe that CoQ10 supplements may help reduce muscle aches. If you choose to take CoQ10 supplements, be sure to tell your doctor so it can be added to your medication list. 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. 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. Specifically, statins may lead to muscle damage in 1 in 10,000 people who take this type of drug each year. The damage is typically reversible once the person stops taking the statin.

According to a 2018 review, statins may cause temporary memory impairment, but they may also have a protective effect against age-related cognitive decline. For instance, Vytorin is a combination of simvastatin, which is a statin, and ezetimibe, a drug that reduces the absorption of dietary cholesterol. Cholesterol plays a role in normal cell and body function.

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