Statin Risk Factors

Statin drugs sold under brand names like Lipitor and Zocor are effective in lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart attack. But people who take the drugs run the risk of developing unpleasant--though rarely serious--side effects.

Function of Statins

• Statin drugs work by inhibiting the action of liver enzymes that produce LDL or "bad cholesterol," which forms plaque in arteries and can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Minor Side Effects

• Most people who take statin drugs and experience side effects encounter only mild ones. The most common are headaches, difficulty sleeping, muscle aches, diarrhea, constipation and bloating. Studies released in the U.K. in 2009 also link periods of depression to statin drug use.

Severe Side Effects

• The most serious side effects associated with statin drug use include myositis--a painful inflammation of the muscles--and elevated levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), which can cause muscle weakness and inflammation. The rarest and most serious is rhabdomyolysis, a condition that can cause severe kidney damage.

Risk vs. Reward

• Numerous studies have shown that people with high cholesterol who use statin drugs can decrease their risk of heart attack by 25 to 40 percent. Given the fact most side effects are mild and that serious side effects are rare, the benefits to people with high cholesterol seem to outweigh the risks posed by side effects.

Conclusions

• People who take statin drugs should be aware of the possible side effects and report any serious ones to their doctor. But concerns about side effects should not be considered a deterrent to taking statin drugs.