Dangers of Statins

Doctors prescribe a variety of statin drugs to lower cholesterol levels in people with dangerously high cholesterol. Some of these statins include Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium), Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Zocor (simvastatin). Statins are effective at lowering cholesterol levels but also have many possible side effects, some dangerous.

Common Side Effects

• The most common side effects associated with statins include headaches, abdominal pain, indigestion, nausea and diarrhea.

Liver Effects

• Because statins work by affecting the liver's production of cholesterol, they can have other effects on the liver. Statins can cause elevated liver enzymes---particularly in people who drink alcohol---and the liver inflammation hepatitis.

Pancreatitis

• Rarely, statin drugs have been linked to pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. Symptoms include intense upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever.

Myopathy

• Statins can cause a condition called statin myopathy, which is characterized by progressive muscle pain or weakness. Symptoms usually disappear soon after discontinuing the drug.

Rhabdomyolysis

• Statins also can cause a more dangerous disorder involving the muscles called rhabdomyolysis. This rare disorder causes skeletal muscles to break down and release a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream, which can result in kidney damage.