Are Statins Harmful?
Benefits Statins prevent the production of HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that is necessary for cholesterol synthesis. The drugs lower blood levels of LDL cholesterol. In doing so, they prevent plaques from forming in artery wells, and can lower the risk of heart attacks. Side Effects According to the Mayo Clinic, statin drugs cause side effects that include muscle and joint pain. Several studies, including one published in the American Journal of Medicine in 2004, have also shown that statins can cause memory loss in a small subset of patients. Severe Complications One in every 15 million people who take statins develop rare muscle damage called Rhabdomyolysis, and a study published in the journal, Drug Safety, in 2007 suggests that in rare instances, statins can also cause severe symptoms similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Preventing Side Effects A study published in Current Atherosclerosis Reports in March 2009 suggests that the side effects of statins increase with dose.
