People who have high cholesterol are often prescribed medications called statins. Since high cholesterol has been implicated in heart disease and stroke, these drugs are used to lower the cholesterol to what is considered to be a safe level. Like all medications, statins can have side effects that can include elevated liver enzymes.
Statins and Side Effects
One of the difficulties with statin drugs is that they usually will need to be taken for life. This means that before you are taken off a drug, your health care professional will try to manage side effects. These may include muscle pains, rashes, facial flushing, gastrointestinal distress and increased liver enzymes. Risk factors for side effects include taking multiple medications and being female, age 65 or older. If you have a small body frame or have diabetes, liver disease or kidney disease, you are also more likely to develop side effects, according to MayoClinic.com.
Statins and Liver Enzymes
Statin use may cause the enzymes in the liver to increase; these enzymes help you digest food, drinks and medications. In mild cases, you can continue to take the drug, but if you have a severe increase in liver enzymes, you may need to stop the statin. Liver problems may develop without any visible symptoms, so people on statins should have liver function test about six weeks after the medicine is started. The test should be repeated every three to six months for the first year of treatment, especially if the statin dose is increased. There are a number of different statin medications, so if one doesn't work or if it causes serious side effects, there are other choices.
Should You Stop the Statin?
An increase in liver enzymes does not necessarily mean the statin should be discontinued. Norrell A. Gillett Jr. notes in the April 2011 issue of "American Family Physician" that the risk of liver injury in patients who take statins is estimated at about 1 percent. He also states that in some cases the elevated liver enzymes will resolve spontaneously. In a study reported in the May 2004 issue of "Gastroenterology," researchers noted that patients with elevated liver enzymes were not at risk for liver damage.
Considerations and Warnings
MayoClinic.com notes that is important not to stop taking a statin medication for any length of time, as your cholesterol may increase. If you have questions or concerns about your medication or health problems, consult a health care professional.
References
- "Gastroenterology"; Patients With Elevated Liver Enzymes Are Not at Higher Risk For Statin Hepatotoxicity; N. Chalasani, et.al.; May 2004
- MayoClinic.com; Statin Side Effects: Weigh the Benefits and Risks; Mayo Clinic Staff; October 2010
- "American Family Physician"; Considerations for Safe Use of Statins: Liver Enzyme Abnormalities and Muscle Toxicity; Norrell A , Gillett Jr. R. C.; March 2011
