According to the doctors at the Mayo Clinic, statins are considered the "wonderdrug of the 21st century." This is due to their ability to effectively reduce harmful levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), which in turn lowers the risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke. A wide variety of statins exist to help accomplish this. Before taking a statin, it is important to know its possible side effects as well as its benefits.
Simvastatin
Known as one of the more expensive statins, simvastatin (also known as Zocor), was among the statins tested to show these drugs could effectively reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. Although careurheart.com considers this one of the most effective drugs in its class due to its abiltity to lower LDL levels, it also decreases the levels of HDL considerably more than various statins in its family. The most common side effects associated with this drug include headache, constipation, stomach and muscle pain.
Fluvastatin
Although Fluvastatin is one of the more affordable statin drugs, it is not recommended for women who are pregnant or anyone taking the drugs ranitidine, cimetidine or digoxin. This statin also has an alias--Lescol. Its most common side effects include headache, muscle or joint pain and indigestion.
Rosuvastatin
Also known as Crestor, rosuvastatin is a fairly new member of the statin family. While it seems to reduce LDL levels more than other statin drugs, as much as 63 percent in some people according to eMedTV.com, it has also been shown to cause a muscle and kidney disorder with higher doses. Common side effects include headache, nausea, constipation, general body weakness, joint and muscle pain.
Lovastatin
Known better by its brand names, Mevacor and Altocor, lovastatin was the first statin drug to be marketed. In a clinical trial conducted at the Lipid Research Clinic, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in Oklahoma City, lovastatin was shown to decrease levels of LDL by 24 to 40 percent in patients taking 20 to 80 mg per day, over a 48 week period. It most common side effects include headaches, gas, diarrhea, constipation, muscle and stomach pain.
Atorvastatin
Known to the world as Lipitor, atorvastatin has the ability to do what no other statin can--reduce triglyceride levels in the blood. Doctors check users' cholesterol levels regularly to ensure that prescribed dosages achieve the desired result. On occasion, this drug can be given to pregnant women, although there are risks. Side effects most commonly associated with this drug include headache, diarrhea, unexplained rash, muscle pain, joint pain and stomach pain.
Pravastatin
Pravastatin is the generic form of Pravachol. Pravastatin not only lowers the total level of cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, it is also capable of increasing HDL levels. Pravastatin's most frequently reported side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, constipation and muscle or joint pain.
