Cholesterol is a critical component of hormones and cell membranes. Some cholesterol, called high-density lipoprotein or HDL, is good for the body, but the other cholesterol, called low-density lipoprotein or LDL and triglycerides, is bad for the body because it can increase the risk of heart disease. Based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in every six adult Americans has high blood cholesterol, which is about 17 percent of the U.S. adult population. Medication called statins can be taken to lower low-density lipoprotein levels in the body.
Function of Statins
Statins are a common class of drugs that are used to lower cholesterol. These drugs prevent the production of cholesterol in the body and also help the body reabsorb built-up cholesterol on the artery walls. When cholesterol is lowered, blockage of blood vessels and possible heart attacks are prevented. Lipitor is a popular brand of statins.
Considerations
According to MayoClinic.com, statins are prescribed for patients who have total cholesterol levels of 240mg per deciliter or higher or LDL levels of 130mg per deciliter or higher, along with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking or narrowing of arteries in the neck or arms. The doses for these medications depend on the level of risk that the patient faces.
MayoClinic.com reports that once a patient has taken Statins, the medication should be continued continuously, even when the cholesterol level goes down. Stopping the medication will cause the cholesterol to go up again.
Liver Damage
MayoClinic.com reports that the use of statins occasionally cause an increase in liver enzymes. If the increase is mild, the person can continue taking the drug, but if the increase is high, the drug should be stopped immediately. According to MayoClinic.com, other cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as gemfibrozil and niacin, exacerbate the risk of liver problems even more in people who take statins. Liver problems usually develop without symptoms and it is sometimes difficult to identify liver issues.
Muscle Pain
The use of statins can cause myopathy, or severe muscle pain. According to MayoClinic.com, cells might break, releasing a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream, which further affects the kidneys. Always check with a doctor if such symptoms arise.
Nausea and Constipation
The difficulty in passing stool is a common minor problem caused with the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs. This can be easily treated with medical intervention.
Nausea can also be caused by taking statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs. A feeling of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach can cause the patient to vomit. This is an initial minor effect that can be controlled when dosage is reassessed by a doctor.
