Statins are a class of drugs that block an enzyme in the liver that forms cholesterol. They are prescribed when cholesterol levels are high, to reduce risk of heart attack in diabetics and in people with family history of early heart disease, and for stroke prevention. Statins can cause side effects that make them intolerable for some patients. Severe side effects are uncommon, but they can occur. Several drugs interact with cholesterol-lowering medications to cause side effects.
Function
There are a variety of statin drugs on the market. Some are stronger than others. An enzyme in the liver, known as hydroxy-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) manufactures cholesterol. Cholesterol-lowering drugs block HMG-CoA--medically, statin drugs are known as HMCo-CoA inhibitors. Side effects of statin drugs depend on several factors related to use of other medication and how the liver works to eliminate cholesterol-lowering drugs from the body.
Effects
The most severe side effect of statin drugs is rhabomyolisis, a serious condition that can cause muscle damage leading to kidney failure. Rhabdomyolisis causes diffuse muscle pain. As muscles are destroyed, proteins are released that enter the kidneys. The kidneys cannot filter the proteins, and the kidneys can stop working. The condition occurs more easily in people taking drugs that increase levels of cholesterol-lowering drugs in the bloodstream.
Common Side Effects
More common side effects of statin drugs include muscle aches and pains, headache, rash, loss of strength, and nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. Taking more than one cholesterol-lowering drug and certain heart medications can increase the chances of having side effects.
Warning
Drugs known as calcium channel blockers, the antibiotics erythromycin, Biaxin, and Sporanox, and the triglyceride-lowering drug niacin can increase statin blood levels. Grapefruit juice can also interfere with the enzyme that eliminates statins from the body, resulting in side effects.
Prevention/Solution
Because there are many statin drugs on the market, it is important to discuss options with your physician. It is possible to find a statin drug that works for you and does not cause side effects. Cholesterol-lowering drugs have many benefits that for most people outweigh the side effects.
