|  | Conditions Treatments | Diseases

Links Between Statin Medications & Lou Gehrig's Disease

Over the past several years there have been questions raised about possible links between statin drugs, commonly used to lower cholesterol, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's Disease. The evidence is divided, although the US Food and Drug Administration in 2008 issued a report refuting any links.

  1. Types

    • Among the most popular statin drugs are Lipitor, Crestor and Pravachol. They work by inhibiting overall cholesterol production to reduce LDL cholesterol counts.

    Effects

    • Proponents of the theory that statin drugs promote ALS claim that the drugs cause degeneration in muscle tissue. Lack of cholesterol, they claim, inhibits the repair of muscle and neural tissue.

    Features

    • Proponents of the theory point to many patients complaining of muscle pain and weakness while they are taking some statin drugs.

    Theory opponents

    • A September 2008 bulletin issued by the federal Food and Drug Administration claimed that statin drugs had no influence on the incidence of ALS. The FDA report was issued after analysis of a 41-patient study, which showed no increased incidence of ALS among statin users over those using a placebo.

    Warning

    • The FDA study on the issue had not been completed as of the issuance of the statement. What was reported were preliminary results from the studies.

Diseases - Related Articles