What are the possible side-effects or problems with statins?
Most people who take a statin have no side-effects, or only minor ones. Read the information leaflet that comes with your particular brand for a full list of possible side-effects. These include: headache, pins and needles, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, feeling sick, and a rash. Some notable points to remember: • Tell your doctor if you have any unexpected muscle pains, tenderness, cramps or weakness. This is because a rare side-effect of statins is a severe form of muscle inflammation. • You should not take a statin if you have active liver disease, if you are are pregnant or intend to be pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding. You should stop a statin if you develop liver disease. • Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice if you are taking a statin. A chemical in grapefruit can increase the level of statin in the bloodstream which can make side-effects from the statin more likely. • Various other drugs that you may take may interfere with statin drugs. For example, som
