Statins are the most widely used drugs to help lower cholesterol. But, drinking alcohol may worsen the potential side effects for people with certain medical conditions, particularly liver damage.

Statins are a class of drugs used to help lower cholesterol. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 93% of adults in the United States taking a cholesterol medication in 2012 were taking a statin.

Statins interfere with the body’s production of cholesterol and help to lower low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), or bad cholesterol, when diet and exercise haven’t proven effective.

Overall, there are no specific health risks associated with drinking while using statins. In other words, alcohol won’t immediately interfere with or react with the statins in your body.

However, heavy drinkers or those who already have liver damage due to heavy drinking could be at greater risk for more serious side effects.

This is because heavy drinking and statin use, although rare, can both potentially interfere with liver function. Therefore, taking the two together might put people at a greater risk of liver-related health problems.

The general consensus is that drinking more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women could put you at a greater risk of alcohol-related liver disease and possible statin side effects.

If you have a history of heavy drinking or liver damage, it’s crucial that you are honest with your doctor about this, especially if they recommend you begin taking statins.

Letting your doctor know you have a history of heavy alcohol consumption or are currently drinking more than the recommended maximum will alert them to look for alternatives or monitor your liver function for signs of damage.

It’s important to be as specific with your doctor as possible about your drinking habits, including how much you drink per week, what type of alcohol you consume, and how long you have been drinking in these quantities.

The more information you can provide your doctor, the more tailored your doctor can make your treatment plan.

Prescription drugs all come with side effects, or the risk of side effects. With statins, the lengthy list of side effects may cause some people to question whether it’s worth the trade-off.

Liver Inflammation

Occasionally, statin use can affect liver health. Although rare, statins may increase liver enzyme production. Several years ago, the FDA recommended regular enzyme testing for statin patients.

But, because the risk of liver damage is so rare, this is no longer the case. The role of the liver in alcohol metabolism means those who drink heavily could be at greater risk, however.

Muscle pain

The most common side effects of statin use are muscle pain and inflammation. Generally, this feels like soreness or weakness of the muscles. In extreme cases, it can lead to rhabdomyolysis, a life threatening condition that may cause liver damage, kidney failure, or death.

Up to 30% of people experience muscle pain with statin use. But nearly all find that when they switch to a different statin, their symptoms resolve.

Other side effects

Digestive problems, rashes, flushing, poor blood glucose management, memory issues, and confusion are other side effects that have been reported.

Research suggests that there are no immediate side effects of drinking alcohol while taking statins. However, some research suggests that statins can sometimes impact your liver, making heavy alcohol consumption while taking statins potentially dangerous for your health.

It can be helpful to have an honest conversation with your doctor about your alcohol use if you are considering taking statins to manage your cholesterol levels.