Side effects of Statins
Physicians prescribe the drug, Statins, to help individuals who suffer from high levels of cholesterol in their blood. Doing so helps the individual to stave off strokes and heart attacks. There are some studies that show that this drug reduces the risk of heart disease by up to thirty five percent. In addition, there are similar studies that indicate a reduction in repeated strokes and heart attacks by up to forty percent in many individuals.
This particular drug blocks the enzyme that produces cholesterol. When there is high cholesterol in an individual, it causes increased build up of plaque on the artery walls of the heart. This results in a narrowing or hardening of the arteries. If the individual experiences blood clots within the narrowed arteries, this results in a heart attack and even a stroke.
Statins is effective in lowering cholesterol; especially bad cholesterol (LDL) and raises the level of good cholesterol (HDL). It stabilizes the plaque that threatens to build up in the walls of the arteries. If you maintain a lifestyle that is healthy combined with taking the drug, Statins, it will certainly improve the success of the drug. Try to avoid or limit your intake of alcohol and smoking. Eat a well balanced diet and do regular exercise.
Many individuals who take this drug do not experience side effects, but some cannot tolerate this drug at all.
The most general side effects of Statins:
- * Migraine headaches
- * Have a hard time sleeping
- * Pain and weakness of the muscles
- * Feelings of drowsiness
- * Dizziness
- * Feeling nauseous and sometimes, vomiting
- * Pain or cramping in the abdomen
- * Stomach bloating
- * Diarrhea
- * Constipation
- * Skin rash
- * Liver damage
Many of the people who take this drug will end up taking them for as long as they live. The side effects for those individuals who are unable to tolerate the drug would then be hard to manage. In other words, they would probably have to live with it or the doctor would have to prescribe another drug.
The most popular side effect is pain in the muscle and possible muscle damage. It may start as soreness in the muscle that causes a slight discomfort and then can become quite severe to limit physical activities. An example would be difficulty in climbing the stairs or walking for long periods of time. The most severe case of muscle damage is rhabdomyolysis, but this is rarely possible when taking Statins unless taken in higher doses.
Let’s take a closer look at a few other side effects mentioned above. Liver damage is possible when taking Statins. It may result in an increased enzyme production in the liver, but only when there is a heightened increase. In this case, you would have to speak to your doctor about trying a different drug. If this goes unchecked, it could cause liver damage that is permanent.
Digestive problems are also possible when taking Statins. This would include feelings of nausea, vomiting, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. Most individuals who experience these feelings while taking Statins may have had other digestive problems before.
Some clinical studies have proven that Statins may be linked to the loss of memory, but research is still ongoing with respect to the extent.
You could have a rash on the skin while taking Statins, but this can be controlled with a topical cream, in some cases. Your doctor will be able to determine if this is a possibility.
Most individuals who are at risk of experiencing these side effects are:
- * Women who are small in body
- * Individuals who have to take different medications for lowering their cholesterol
- * Women at the age of sixty five and older
- * Individuals who have a disease of the kidney or the liver
- * Individuals who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes
For some individuals, the side effects of this drug may give the impression that the drug has no benefit to them. However, before deciding to try another drug, find out from your doctor what can be done to reduce these side effects.