Statin Side Effect

Statin Side Effects: Are the Risks Outweighing Its Benefits?

The side effects of statin can be underwhelming, making it appear as if the risks outweigh the benefits of these powerful cholesterol-lowering medications. Read through and consider weighing the risks and benefits.

 

Winchester, KY -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/21/2014 -- People having high cholesterol level are often prescribed with statin to reduce the risk of stroke or a heart attack. Often times, people taking this medication will take them for the rest of their lives for maintenance, not unless manage to stabilize their cholesterol levels through exercise, diet, weight loss and nutritional supplement. This can make the statin side effects even harder to manage.

Some people may think that taking statin is not worth it just to have its benefits. Though, little do they know, the statin side effects can be reduced for it to be bearable.

One of the most common side effects of statin, muscle pain – this gives the person the feeling of soreness, tiredness or weakness in their muscles. The pain may range from mild to severe, which interferes with the person’s regular activities and makes it difficult. For example a simple climbing of the stairs or even walking can be so uncomfortable and exhausting.

Occasionally a person may have a liver damage and experience digestive problems. This is because statin stimulates the production of enzymes of the liver that help in the digestion of food. The increase in the production of liver enzymes may develop nausea, gas, diarrhea, or constipation after taking statin. This is also a rare side effect and people who are experiencing this already have digestive problems prior to taking the medication.

A person may also develop a rash or flushing after taking a statin, especially if the person take the medication in unison with some other drug like niacin. Taking aspirin prior to taking the statin medication may help, however it is always wise to seek the doctor’s advice and prescription.

Development of type 2 diabetes is also a risk of taking statin, this is possible for statin increase the production of blood sugar (blood glucose). The risk maybe small but it is alarming enough leading the Food and Drug Administration t issue warning on statin labels regarding blood glucose levels and diabetes.

A neurological side effect is the most alarming of all. FDA warns statin labels that some people are experiencing memory loss and confusion while taking the medication. Though, this side effect is said to be reversible once a person stopped taking the drug. On the bright side, it has been evident that statin induces brain activity and may help patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s. This is still under observation and studies to further prove the benefit.

It is advised not to stop the medication and talk to the doctor first. There may be side effects taking the medication but these experts can give advises on how to reduce the risks and make it bearable.

About CoQ10 and Statins
Statins are a type of drug generally prescribed to people with high cholesterol levels or at risk of heart disease and stroke. Statins block the liver enzyme that creates cholesterol in order to reduce the total amount of cholesterol in the blood. Some amount of cholesterol is required for good health, especially HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, but having too much cholesterol can lead to hardened arteries or the buildup of plaque inside arteries, which increases the chance of heart attack or stroke.