Statins help reduce unhealthy cholesterol levels in your bloodstream. The statin that a doctor recommends for you can depend on your cholesterol level and health, as well as other medications you take.
Statins are a class of medication also known as HMG CoA reductase inhibitors. They help reduce high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also referred to as “bad” cholesterol, in your bloodstream.
LDL cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that sticks to the blood vessels of your heart and the walls of your arteries. This can make your arteries harden or form plaques that block or reduce blood flow.
Statins mainly work by reducing your body’s ability to make LDL cholesterol. They
Doctors commonly prescribe statins for high cholesterol, with
Keep reading to learn more about the safety and possible side effects of statin therapy and which medications may work best for you.
Statins are safe for the majority of people. In fact, the American Heart Association (AHA) notes that the benefits of statin therapy greatly
Doctors may recommend specific statin medications if you have certain medical conditions. This is because some types may interact with other medications you may be taking. It’s best to talk with a doctor about the risks and benefits of statin therapy and possible drug interactions.
Statins approved for use the in United States include:
- atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- simvastatin (Zocor)
- pravastatin (Pravachol)
- rosuvastatin calcium (Crestor)
- pitavastatin (Livalo)
- fluvastatin (Lescol)
- lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev)
The specific medication a doctor recommends for you can depend on your cholesterol levels and other personal factors.
The amount, or dose, needed for a statin to be effective is also a factor in which medication a doctor will prescribe for you. Lower doses of most statins reduce the risk of side effects.
According to
If you take azole antifungal medication
Azole antifungal meds are often prescribed for fungal infections such as thrush and vaginal yeast infections.
- atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev)
- simvastatin (Zocor)
If you take protease inhibitors
If you take protease inhibitors like atazanavir (Reyataz), ritonavir (Norvir), or lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra) to treat HIV, you may need to avoid or have additional monitoring while taking:
- lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev)
- pitavastatin (Livalo)
- simvastatin (Zocor)
- rosuvastatin calcium (Crestor)
- atorvastatin (Lipitor)
If you take macrolide antibiotics
If you are taking macrolide antibiotics for bacterial infections, you may need to avoid lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev) and simvastatin (Zocor).
If you take atorvastatin or pitavastatin, you may need a dosage adjustment by a healthcare professional.
If you take cyclosporine
Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune) is prescribed to treat a number of conditions, including psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. It’s also used to prevent organ rejection after transplants.
If you’re taking cyclosporine, a healthcare professional may need to adjust your dosage with other statins.
Statins are usually well tolerated. That means that many people do not have bothersome side effects when taking them.
Common minor side effects may include:
- diarrhea
- constipation
- rash
- headache
Any medication, including statins, can potentially cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to medication typically include an itchy rash.
Though rare, medications can also cause anaphylaxis, which is a medical emergency. Get emergency medical attention if you have:
- swelling of the lips, face, or airways
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- confusion
- fainting
- swollen, peeling, or blistered rash
Liver inflammation
In a small number of people, statins increase the enzymes the liver uses to help digestion. This can cause the liver to become inflamed, which may lead to damage. Symptoms of liver issues may include:
- fatigue
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- tea-colored urine
Muscle inflammation and pain
Statins can potentially affect the muscles, causing:
- aches
- pain
- weakness
Very rarely, a condition called rhabdomyolysis can occur. This severe side effect results in damage to the muscles. It most commonly affects people with other risk factors for the disorder, which could include:
- reduced thyroid function
- liver disease
- slower kidney function
Cognitive concerns
Though
Diabetes risk
You may have a minimal risk of developing newly diagnosed type II diabetes while on statin therapy. This side effect mostly commonly affects people who already have an increased risk of type II diabetes. This can include people with metabolic syndrome and prediabetes. It is not clear how statins increase the risk.
The
Doctors commonly recommend statins to people with diabetes who are at risk of or have cardiovascular disease.
Kidney risk
If you have kidney disease, you may need a lower dose of statins. Some statin doses may be too high for people with kidney disease.
You are pregnant or breastfeeding
The benefit you gain from statins depends on the level of risk you have for cardiovascular disease. But generally, the latest guidelines recommend statins for people who have high cholesterol. Untreated, high cholesterol increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke.
You can talk with a doctor about reducing your cholesterol with diet and exercise.
If diet and exercise aren’t enough, you can discuss which statin is best for you given your level of risk, other medical conditions you may have, and medications you take.
Doctors may recommend alternate treatment for people who cannot take statins, whether due to an allergy or drug interaction.
Learn more about medications to treat high cholesterol.