For these reasons, it's important that you discuss your medical history and everything you are taking with your healthcare provider before you start taking a statin. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Statin pros and cons: Benefits, side effects, and alternatives New cholesterol-lowering drug could be Talk to your doctor about your total risk of heart and blood vessel disease and personal preferences before making a decision about statin therapy. Older age. Statins have multiple drug interactions, primarily those which interact with the cytochrome p450 enzymes. Statins can safely be used in patients with CKD, although clinicians should be cautious in using high-dose statins and combination therapy with fibrates/ezetimibe. Pravastatin has the least drug interactions amongst the statin drugs. joint pain. Another had died in their mid-50s, Ohad Birk, a geneticist and doctor at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in Israel, told me. No one wants to experience unpleasant side effects as a result of their medication, but statins have a particularly high rate of intolerance. WebThe following drugs have been shown to lead to markedly increased concentrations of certain statins by cytochrome P450 enzyme inhibition, resulting in a greatly increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis [BNF 76, 2018]: Ciclosporin. There isnt one best statin to take. Trouble sleeping. Fortunately, it may be possible to mitigate or avoid some of the side effects associated with statin medications. I have been on Lipitor for nearly 20 years without problem of side effects. include protected health information. Statin National trends in statin use and expenditures in the US adult population from 2002 to 2013: Insights from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, Clinically relevant drug interactions between statins and antidepressants, Clinical guidance for managing statin and antimicrobial drug-drug interactions, American Heart Association Clinical Pharmacology Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Hypertension; Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research; and Council on Functional Genomics and Translational Biology. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Crestor vs. Lipitor: Which is better? - SingleCare We achieved what we hoped we would get a very positive result in a population of people who just could not tolerate statins.. Before starting treatment with this drug, tell your doctor if you have Asian heritage. In the analysis of 135 previous studies, which included nearly 250,000 people combined, researchers found that the drugs simvastatin (Zocor) and pravastatin (Pravachol) truths about statins and high cholesterol These drug interactions can change the medication's effectiveness or make side effects more likely. Clinically relevant drug interactions between statins and antidepressants. Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Lipitor and Other Statins? However, they can cause problems if you have certain medical conditions or if you're taking another medication or supplement with the statin. St. John's Wort is a supplement commonly used to treat depression and other mental health conditions. The conditions and factors to consider include: Certain medications. Yes: The most common side effects from statins include 1) myalgia and increased CPK from skeletal muscle and 2) elevated liver function tests reflecting Common And Serious Side Effects Of Statins We avoid using tertiary references. For more information, you can refer to Crestors prescribing information. Statin medications are used to treat high levels of cholesterol in the blood. They were hunting for genes behind a rare disease called limb girdle muscle dystrophy, in which muscles of the upper arms and legssound familiar?become weak and waste away. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which His two brothers had the disease as well. MedicineNet Lopez-Jimenez F (expert opinion). If you already have liver disease, taking Crestor could worsen your condition. Unfortunately, some patients need high doses of their medication in order to keep their cholesterol under control. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. In its clinical trials, vortioxetines sexual side effects were compared to placebo (a pill with no medication in it) according to the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale. Best Statin With Least Side Effects - This Nutrition With statins, the lengthy list of side effects may cause some people to question whether its worth the trade-off. Drug interactions can differ with various statins, including Crestor (rosuvastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), Lipitor (atorvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), or Zocor (simvastatin). However, your healthcare professional may want to monitor you more closely since it may increase your risk of side effects. Keep in mind that this is not acomplete list. Statins other information we have about you. JAMA Cardiol. They can decide whether Crestor is a safe treatment for your condition. is considered the statin medication with the least amount of side effects. Statin intolerance. Birks team first tested it in mice given doses of statins high enough to weaken their limbs; those also given mevalonolactone continued to crawl and even hang upside down on a wire just fine. Statins primarily work to reduce cholesterol by acting on the levels of LDL, or bad cholesterol in the blood. MDText.com, Inc.; 2021. Mevalonolactone is available as a research chemical, but thats not pure and safe enough for human consumption. US Preventive Services Task Force, et al. WebStatins - Low Dose. June 27, 2023. Plaque buildup along the walls of the blood vessels causes the blood vessels to narrow, reducing blood flow to and from the heart, organs, brain, and extremities. This intense pain may be a symptom of rhabdomyolysis (rab-doe-my-OL-ih-sis), a rare condition that causes muscle cells to break down. Statins are reported to be effective against psoriasis, dermatitis, graft-versus-host disease, uremic pruritus, vitiligo, and hirsutism. Clinical guidance for managing statin and antimicrobial drug-drug interactions. Taking this drug with existing kidney problems may increase your risk of rhabdomyolysis. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. However, some studies suggest that certain statins may be better tolerated by some individuals than others. A number of statins are available for use in the United States. There is no comprehensive analysis on the comparative adverse event profiles of different Bempedoic acid is already FDA approved but this study may help the treatment become covered by insurance policies, Most people can take statins, but some cannot, he said in a, . High cholesterol is a major risk factor for serious cardiovascular conditions like heart attack and stroke, and many people rely on statin medications to keep their cholesterol at a healthy level. I have been on Lipitor for nearly 20 years without problem. Cyclosporine is prescribed to prevent your body from rejecting a transplanted organ. Be sure to tell your doctor that youre pregnant or breastfeeding. Myalgia: Muscle pain is the most common symptom experienced by people taking statins. These include shock, electrolyte imbalance, unmanaged epilepsy, and sepsis. 4 Fixes for Achy Muscles Caused by Statins Cleveland Clinic The study lasted a little over three years. Hudson, OH:Lexi-Comp Inc.; 2017. Saw a recent study that was a meta Risk factors include: Taking multiple medicines to lower your cholesterol. Although generally quite safe, the statins can be associated with a variety of serious side adverse effects, including myalgia, myopathy, and changes in plasma enzymes of hepatic origin. Examples of statin medications include: In the United States, Lipitor is one of the most commonly prescribed statin medications. It occurs when damaged muscle tissue releases harmful substances into the blood. Rosuvastatin can cause dipstick-positive proteinuria and microscopic hematuria at the maximal dose of 40 mg/day, an effect that is generally transient and not associated with reduced renal function. Last medically reviewed on June 30, 2023. WebAbstract: The statins are widely used worldwide to reduce risk for cardiovascular events in both the primary and secondary prevention settings. I think you might find this most recent study very interesting. WebLipitor (atorvastatin) and Crestor (rosuvastatin) are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statin drugs) that lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Arcus senilis: A sign of high cholesterol? Perhaps patients who suffer particularly severe muscle side effects already have less functional versions of the enzyme, which becomes problematic only when they start taking statins, which reduce its function even further. These include: HIV protease inhibitors such as Norvir (ritonavir), Agenerase (amprenavir), Crixivan (indinavir), or Viracept (nelfinavir), may increase the amount of some statins present in the blood. As a result of lower levels of cholesterol, the substance is less likely to cause the buildup of plaque along the walls of the blood vessels, which allows blood to flow freely from the heart to the brain, extremities, and organs. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2020. Statin My husband is having a problem with extreme fatigue, muscle pain, and severe tinnitus since starting a statin, rosuvastatin, a Were a research lab, Birk told me. Jack Manley, 71, of Pearland, Texas, has been taking Lipitor for years for his high cholesterol, but he experienced severe leg cramps as a side effect from the statin. According to a research review people who take simvastatin (Zocor) or pravastatin (Pravachol) may experience fewer side effects. When his team saw that this family had the mutations in HMG-CoA reductase, they too immediately recognized the potential link to statins. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2017;19(11):46. doi:10.1007/s11883-017-0682-x. The frequency of clinically significant side effects associated with statin therapy is low. While muscle pain caused by statins is usually just uncomfortable, it can also be dangerous if you experience any of the following symptoms: Increased blood sugar or development of type 2 diabetes, Neurological side effects, including memory loss or confusion. Before you start taking Crestor, be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications you take. Statin-Associated Side Effects However, good cholesterol, or HDL, is actually a good thing to have high levels of, as this type of cholesterol helps absorb LDL and transport it to the liver, which removes it from the body. Crestor can increase your blood sugar levels. Which Statin Has The Least Amount Of Side Effects More than 1 in 10 people in the U.S. have high cholesterol, which is a risk factor for heart disease, according to theCDC. 2017. Most people who take statins have minor side effects, if any. These stents are now causing major adverse cardiac events 2-5 years post-placement. Medications used to treat and prevent heartburn/acid reflux can also interact with statins. These adverse events (AEs) can have serious impact, and form a significant barrier to therapy adherence. 2016;134(21):e468-e495. If youve had an allergic reaction to Crestor or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Crestor. Back in 1980, the very first person to receive an experimental dose of statins suffered muscle weakness so severe, she could not walk. Thats because Birks team in Israel did not stop at simply identifying the mutation. Click here for an email preview. When you take niacin in high doses (greater than 1 gram a day), it could increase the risk of experiencing statin side effects. It is usually possible to select a statin that minimizes potential drug interactions, depending on which medications you're taking. Statins are prescribed to improve cholesterol levels. Rarely, statins can cause more-serious side effects such as: Also, ask your doctor if the statin you use will interact with any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs or supplements you take. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. Very rarely, high-dose statin use can cause muscle cells to break down and release a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream. This can lead to severe muscle pain and kidney damage. Liver damage. Occasionally, statin use causes an increase in liver enzymes. If the increase is mild, you can continue to take the drug. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. Bempedoic acid, a cholesterol-lowering drug, has shown positive results in a large trial, reducing major adverse cardiovascular events by 13% in patients unable to tolerate But if the drug helped lower your cholesterol, you'll likely need to stay on it long term to keep your cholesterol down. Type 2 diabetes or high A low dose of Crestor is sometimes prescribed to adults ages 65 and older. Joint pain. 31,112 satisfied customers. statins Here are some frequently asked questions about the drugs side effects and their answers. There are key differences between them, and monitoring is key to prevent some, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Statin Side Effects: Pain, Fatigue, and More - GoodRx Adhyaru BB, et al. Hepatotoxicity Crestor is prescribed for the following uses in certain adults: Crestor is prescribed for the following uses in children: Crestor can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. Statins reduce blood cholesterol levels, and in doing so reduce the risk of developing stroke, heart attack and angina. Why is this, and it is, Triglyceride and cholesterol levels are important markers for health. Statins are important medications that can help save your life, so finding the right medication, dose, and supportive nutrients are critical to improving your heart health over the long term. Can diet and exercise reverse prediabetes? After treating your side effects, your doctor can determine whether its safe for you to continue taking Crestor. A guide, Triglyceride and cholesterol levels: What to know, lowering cholesterol levels and slowing the progression of, lowering cholesterol levels for heterozygous, lowering cholesterol levels for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), lowering cholesterol levels in children ages 8 years and older with HeFH, lowering cholesterol levels in children ages 7 years and older with HoFH. Bad problems with your muscles. But why should an anticholesterol drug weaken muscles in the arms and legs? They lower LDL cholesterol(the "bad" cholesterol)and triglycerides while raising HDL("good") cholesterol. The best ways to reduce cholesterol, and how long it takes. Fibrates are another class of medications prescribed to lower high cholesterol. Statins Are these cholesterol lowering drugs right for you, Narrowed arteries in your neck, arms or legs (peripheral artery disease), Family history of heart disease, especially if it was before the age of 55 in male relatives or before 65 in female relatives, Eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, fish and whole grains and low in saturated fat, trans fat, refined carbohydrates and salt, Be physically active more often and sit less. More than 1 in 10 people in the U.S. have high cholesterol, which is a risk factor for heart disease, according to the. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think youre having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. They may recommend blood tests to monitor liver function during your treatment. JAMA Cardiology. If you develop symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. 2018; doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.11.003. Muscle aches occur in about 10 percent of people who take statins. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. But for some people, numbering in the thousands, severe muscle weakness does not go away even after they stop taking statins. Nicotinic acid, fibric acid, PCSK9 inhibitors, bile acid sequestrants, and Zeta (ezetimibe) can also be used if statins are not an option. J Clin Pharm Ther. Feingold KR. Some of Crestors more serious side effects can be long term. That means the potential for drug interactions can be different with various statins. Statins: Types, Uses & Side Effects This article looks at what cholesterol is, the best ways to reduce cholesterol, and how long it takes to do so. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013, https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/statins-list-of-common-types#risk-factors, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statins/art-20045772, https://www.lipidjournal.com/article/S1933-2874(14)00158-5/fulltext#sec3. Am I concerned about statins' side effects or interactions with other drugs? Not everyone who takes a statin will have side effects, but some people may be at a greater risk. Those afflicted began experiencing minor symptoms in their 30s, such as muscle cramps, that worsened over time. Certain people may have a higher risk of side effects. These drugs may help stabilize the plaques on blood vessel walls and reduce the risk of certain blood clots. 2017;2(1):56-65. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2016.4700, Palleria C, Roberti R, Iannone LF, et al. Concern about the side effects of statin medications, which are commonly used to treat high cholesterol, is widespread. Which statin has the least amount of side effects HDL cholesterol: How to boost your 'good' cholesterol. Most people have more LDL in their bodies than HDL, which can cause plaque to build up on the walls of the blood vessels when the imbalance gets too large. Digestive distress. Hypothyroidism symptoms: Can hypothyroidism cause eye problems? These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. And so, the answers to two mysteries suddenly became clear at once: Dysfunction in this enzyme causes muscle weakness from both limb girdle muscular dystrophy and statins. Statin medications help reduce the total cholesterol level in patients, which is calculated by adding together the LDL and HDL levels and combining them with 20 percent of the triglyceride level. Statins have been considered for treatment in NASH, and in recent years they have been generally evaluated as safe, even at high doses, leading to a wider use in patients (11, 26, 39). Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. In clinical trials, certain side effects were more likely to occur at higher milligram (mg) strengths. Cholesterol Step 6/8 6. J Am Coll Cardiol 2016;67:2395-2410. WebStatins possess anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, metabolic, and possible anticancer effects. Now in his 30s, he wanted to know the genetic cause of his disease before having children and potentially passing it on to them. Review/update the Which Statin Has the Least Amount of Side Effects Muscle pain is commonly experienced as soreness, weakness, or fatigue of the muscles, and while some people experience only mild effects, others experience muscle pain that is severe enough to interfere with their daily activities. This pair of studies in the U.S. and Israel really strongly suggests that statins cause muscle damage via the same HMG-CoA reductase pathway, says Andrew Mammen, a neurologist at the National Institutes of Health who was not involved in either study. Board Certified Physician. side effects Statins are a group of medications that treat high cholesterol levels. 2021;336:1-11. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.09.010. Accessed Jan. 30, 2020. | Nov 24, 2021 Statins or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are a group of prescription drugs that lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Thanassoulis G, et al. A high fiber, low sugar diet can help keep your blood sugar in a healthy range. Although many people in the United States could benefit from medication to manage their high cholesterol, only about 55 percent of those patients are currently taking the medication. All rights reserved. It may decrease the effectiveness of some statins. Bempedoic acid is already FDA approved but this study may help the treatment become covered by insurance policies, The New York Timesreported. Statins Lovastatin is considered the statin medication with the least amount of side effects. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness/heart-truth/listen-to-your-heart. Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. by Duane Graveline, MD, MPH. Patients could experience stomach cramps, and they might also notice constipation or diarrhea. headache. 2016; doi:10.1001/jama.2016.15450. If you have a high risk of side effects, theyll typically prescribe a lower daily dose, such as 5 mg per day. Which Statin Has the Least Amount of Side Effects? Kellerman RD, et al. This doesn't stop the contraception from working, but it may lead to an increased risk of related side effects. Cardiology 40 years experience. Accessed Jan. 27, 2020. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. statins If you have unmanaged hypothyroidism, you may have a higher risk of muscle damage and rhabdomyolysis. Not looking for an argument here. Antibiotics ending in -mycin such as erythromycin or Biaxin (clarithromycin) may increase the statins present in the blood and may also increase side effects. Results showed that taking bempedoic acid lowered LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol by 21% in 6 months and reduced the risk of heart attack by 23%. Statins can further impair liver function, causing an elevation in liver enzymes that indicates inflammation or damage to liver cells. It also covers medical conditions to report to your doctor before taking a statin. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. WebSide effects of statins include muscle pain, increased risk of diabetes mellitus, and abnormal blood levels of liver enzymes. If you are taking one of them, it doesn't mean that you can't take a statin. Accessed Jan. 27, 2020. Rhabdomyolysis. Statin medications can be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic, which influences how they deliver the medication to tissues in the body; these differences can also contribute to side effects. Grapefruit juice and statins. Certain antidepressants may increase statin levels in the blood, though others have not been shown to have the same effect. Safety and efficacy of statin therapy. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Alcohol consumption. There are two classes of statins: 1) Hydrophobic (non-water soluble) and 2) Hydrophilic (water soluble). Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Where does cholesterol come from? Dr Basu. Statins, one of the most extensively studied drugs on the planet, taken by tens of millions of Americans alone, have long had a perplexing side Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include: For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. Statins are a widely prescribed class of drugs to lower cholesterol. Patients may be able to prevent or diminish some side effects of statin medications by taking dietary supplements that are specifically designed to provide bioavailable CoQ10, vitamin K2, chelated minerals and mitochondrial antioxidants that help support biochemical balance in the body and boost levels of CoQ10.