Are Cholesterol Drug Dangers Real?

While cholesterol drugs are usually effective at lowering cholesterol levels, the side effects can be unpleasant, and in some cases, may seriously affect your health. Any prescription drug has the potential to cause side effects, but because cholesterol medications known as statins can have some acute adverse reactions, individuals taking these drugs should see their doctors often.

Statins

• Earlier cholesterol medications produced immediate and unpleasant side effects that included nausea, constipation or indigestion. Patients who received little benefit from taking the drugs often felt that the side effects were not worth the trouble. When statin drugs came on the market, these medications showed real promise as reports of immediate side effects were rare. Statin drugs work by blocking a coenzyme that the body needs to produce cholesterol. This slows down cholesterol production giving the liver more time to remove bad cholesterol form the blood. Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor and Pravachal are some of the better-known statin drugs that doctors prescribe. Unfortunately, patients often report side effects several months after being on these cholesterol medications.

Side Effects

• Among the most common side effects produced by statin drugs are joint and muscle pain and weakness. Heartburn, nausea, diarrhea and constipation can also occur. Many times, these side effects eventually go away. More serious side effects include liver damage and myopathy. Statins can cause an increase in liver enzymes, a condition that may lead to permanent liver damage if left untreated. People who take high doses of the drug usually experience muscle pain and tenderness. In extreme cases, muscle cells that break down release myoglobin, a protein that can damage the kidneys, into the bloodstream. Interestingly enough, a study conducted by Austrian researchers found that people who are active are more likely to suffer muscle pain when taking statins than individuals who are sedentary.

Neurological Problems

• Nerve problems are another potential side effect of statins. People who use the drugs for two or more years may be at increased risk for nerve damage or other neurological problems. This is of special concern as even after individuals stop taking the drug, the damage may not be reversible.

Warning

• Because of the potential risks associated with taking cholesterol-lowering medications, these drugs are usually recommended for use only when a person's cholesterol levels are extremely high or the person is at risk for heart disease and stroke. In cases where the possible risks of taking the drug outweigh the probable benefits, individuals might want to consider other alternatives for lowering cholesterol. Lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet that includes omega-3 fatty acids, losing weight and getting regular exercise can help.

Risk Factors

• Even if you have high cholesterol, your doctor may consider whether you have other risk factors before prescribing a statin. Risk factors include age, high blood pressure, whether you are overweight, and if you smoke or drink alcohol excessively. Whether you have a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease, if you have diabetes or peripheral vascular disease, as well as your overall general health are also taken into account. If you have none of these other risk factors, your doctor may decide that you do not need medication, as your risk is low for heart attack and stroke.

Potential Benefits

• Despite the potential adverse effects, statins can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of blood clots by thinning blood. Other benefits of these drugs may include reducing the risk of certain cancers, preventing arthritis and osteoporosis, and reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Although preliminary studies suggest these additional benefits, much more research is needed in all these areas.