Statins, a commonly prescribed class of lipid-lowering drugs that include Lipitor, Zocor and Crestor, are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the United States, with more than $12 billion in annual sales and tens of millions of patients. However, many doctors and their patients do not realize the potential serious side effects and dangers. Doctors are prescribing these drugs too casually. See my discussions in the March and November 2008 newsletters. In my opinion, there are many natural ways to lower cholesterol levels that are much safer.
Drug companies keep pounding the consumer and physicians with promotional material that cholesterol must be lowered with statin drugs.
Statin side effect, safety, danger, risk, caution
Side effects of statins
include damage to muscle tissue leading to body aches, harm to kidneys, elevated liver function tests,
elevated blood sugar, depletion of
CoQ10,
and slight damage to
brain cells leading to mild impairment of
mental function. Those
taking statins may consider also supplementing with 30 or 50 mg of
CoQ10
two or three
days a week. See additional nerve and muscle statin side effects on this
neuromuscular page.
Another way to minimize adverse effects is to take the pills every other day
rather than daily.
The most common statin side effect is
muscle
damage, next common statin side effect is
liver damage. Changes in
liver function occur in some people and blood test monitoring may be
required. Muscle symptoms are a very common adverse events. Myopathy, involving actual damage to muscle tissue, can be very
serious. For this reason, if you develop a statin side effect as new muscle pain, weakness, or
tenderness you should inform your doctor immediately. Very rarely,
if myopathy occurs and the drugs are not stopped, a very dangerous condition,
called “rhabdomyolysis”, can occur that can sometimes be fatal. Myopathy and
rhabdomyolysis are more common if people are on other cholesterol lowering
drugs, particularly niacin or gemfibrozil (or other “fibrates”), as well as a
statin. Certain other classes of drugs in combination with statins can also
increase the risk of problems.
Neuropathy may be another concern. Neuropathy
is well recognized and
reported more and more often. Statins can also trigger underlying neuromuscular
conditions. With time, we are likely to find other statin side
effects, and this should make doctors cautious in being overly zealous in
prescribing statin drugs to patients who may not really need them. Muscle pain
as a statin side effect is much more common than most doctors realize.
Use is not associated with a reduced risk of colorectal
cancer.
Statin drug use may be associated with an increased risk for
prostate cancer, particularly in those who are obese. American Journal of
Epidemiology, August 1, 2008.
Lab experiments indicate they reduce the ability of progenitor muscle cells to multiply and then repair
and regenerate damaged muscles.
May increase
breast cancer risk in certain women.
People on cholesterol-lowering statins are more likely to develop
diabetes or high blood sugar problems. Lancet medical journal, 2010.
June 2010
Unintended effects of statins in men and women in England and Wales: population
based cohort study using the QResearch database.
BMJ 2010. Julia Hippisley-Cox, professor of clinical epidemiology and
general practice, Carol Coupland, associate professor in medical statistics
Division of Primary Care, University Park, Nottingham
Participants aged 30-84 years of whom 10%) were new users of statins: 70% were
prescribed simvastatin, 22% atorvastatin, 3% pravastatin, 2%) rosuvastatin, and
1% fluvastatin. Main outcome measure First recorded occurrence of cardiovascular
disease, moderate or serious myopathic events, moderate or serious liver
dysfunction, acute renal failure, venous thromboembolism, Parkinson’s disease,
dementia, rheumatoid arthritis, cataract, osteoporotic fracture, gastric cancer,
esophageal cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, renal cancer, breast
cancer, or prostate cancer. Statin use was associated with decreased risks of
esophageal cancer but increased risks of moderate or serious liver dysfunction,
acute renal failure, moderate or serious myopathy, and cataract. Adverse effects
were similar across statin types for each outcome except liver dysfunction where
risks were highest for fluvastatin, which is sold by Novartis under the brand
names Lescol and Lochol. A dose-response effect was apparent for acute renal
failure and liver dysfunction. All increased risks persisted during treatment
and were highest in the first year. After stopping treatment the risk of
cataract returned to normal within a year in men and women. Risk of acute renal
failure returned to normal within 1-3 years in men and women, and liver
dysfunction within 1-3 years in women and from three years in men. For every
10,000 high risk women treated with statins, the positive impact would be around
271 fewer cases of heart disease and 8 fewer cases of esophageal cancer. On the
other hand, there would also be 74 extra patients with liver dysfunction, 23
extra patients with acute renal failure, 307 with cataracts and 39 with a muscle
weakness condition called myopathy. Similar figures were found for men except
rates of myopathy were higher.
Statin drugs and certain heart medications can cause
muscle damage
The Food and Drug Administration said in August 2008 doctors should use
extra care when prescribing the statin Zocor, generic Zocor, or Vytorin to
patients who are also taking amiodarone, a heart rhythm drug marketed as
Cordarone or Pacerone. The danger is higher for patients taking more than 20
milligrams a day of the cholesterol drugs. The generic name for the statin
cholesterol medication is simvastatin.
Statin drugs and eye muscle damage
Even at normal doses, statin drugs may cause rare
instances of eye muscle disorders such as ophthalmoplegia, diplopia and
ptosis. Ophthalmology
2008.
Statin drugs and stroke risk
The use of Lipitor (atorvastatin) and
Zocor (simvastatin), may raise the risk of brain hemorrhage in patients who have
experienced a recent stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Is this risk
outweighed by the ability of these statin drugs to lower the overall risk of a
second stroke and other serious events, such as heart attack?
Statins and mortality
Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases With Statin Therapy: A
Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Arch Intern Med. 2006. Department of Medicine, University of Toronto,
Toronto, Ontario.
While the role of hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase
inhibitors (statins) in secondary prevention of cardiovascular (CV) events
and mortality is established, their value for primary prevention is less
clear. To clarify the role of statins for patients without cardiovascular
disease, we performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Seven trials with 42 848 patients were included.
Ninety percent had no history of CV disease. Mean follow-up was 4.3 years. Statin therapy reduced the RR of major coronary events, major
cerebrovascular events, and revascularizations by 29%, 14%, and 33%, respectively. Statins produced a
nonsignificant 22% RR reduction in coronary heart disease mortality. No significant reduction in overall mortality or increases in cancer or levels
of liver enzymes or creatine kinase were observed. In patients
without cardiovascular disease, statin therapy decreases the incidence of major
coronary and cerebrovascular events and revascularizations but not
coronary heart disease or overall mortality.
Dr. Sahelian comments: Statins are currently the most widely prescribed
drugs in many countries. There are hundreds of thousands of doctors in the USA,
and many more in the rest of the world, who prescribe them to their patients and
have been doing so for the past decade or so. Most of these doctors are well
meaning and do think they are helping their patients. But, unfortunately, they
have been misguided by the drug companies and by the medical journals they read
and trust. These medical journals have repeatedly reinforced the notion that
lowering cholesterol is a good thing. I don't dispute the fact that studies show
those with high cholesterol levels have a higher rate of cardiovascular
conditions. However, I do dispute the fact that lowering cholesterol with statin
drugs is a good thing when there are natural options available..This is what a
CNN article says: Statins are prescribed to lower excessive levels of
artery-clogging "bad" cholesterol and to lessen inflammation in blood vessels.
But the latest study casts doubt on the benefits of prescribing statins to
prevent cardiovascular disease in individuals with healthy cholesterol levels.
While statins lessen the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people already at
risk because of heart disease or high cholesterol, routine use of such drugs by
otherwise healthy adults produces such limited benefits that it may not be
cost-effective. For example, an analysis of seven previous trials involving
nearly 43,000 adults aged 55 to 75 found that the average adult had a nearly 6
percent chance of suffering a heart attack or stroke over a 4 year period,
compared with a 4 percent risk among those who took statins. Therefore, 60
patients would need to be treated for an average of 4 years to prevent one major
coronary event," the study's author, Dr. Paaladinesh Thavendiranathan of the
University of Toronto, wrote in the article. To prevent a single stroke, 268
people would need to undergo statin treatment, and to prevent one nonfatal heart
attack 61 would have to take the drugs, he added. Moreover, statin use did not
improve the overall risk of dying from cardiovascular disease or from other
causes.
Most of you realize by now that doctors and the medical establishment do not know it all and are fallible. (Just to be clear, I don't claim to know it all, either, but I do my best to keep an open mind and accept the use of drugs or supplements if they work.) For decades doctors prescribed hormone replacement therapy for women in high doses and a few years ago we found out that this treatment increased breast cancer rates. It is quite possible that we may in the next few years discover that the widespread use of statin therapy was not such a good idea after all. I do not deny the possibility that there are certain patients that may be helped by statins. However, statins are overused and misused. Too many people are focusing too heavily on blood cholesterol levels as opposed to looking at the effects of these drugs on the whole body. If you have an extremely high cholesterol level, then a statin drug could lower it, but would this result in you living longer? I don't know if anyone can promise this to you in great confidence. If you have a mild to moderate cholesterol elevation, and your doctor has you on a statin drug, then it is legitimate to question your doctor. Ask your doctor to show you studies or prove to you that the use of statin drugs for mild to moderate cholesterol elevation leads to a longer lifespan. If he or she can't, then why is the statin drug being prescribed? There are a number of steps one can take to improve cardiovascular health without drugs, and I list some of them at this site. See heart disease.
November 2008 - Will taking the statin drug Crestor
reduce your inflammatory markers and heart attack rate?
Here is a basic summary of a November 2008 study funded by AstraZeneca, the maker of
Crestor (rosuvastatin):
About 18,000 healthy men and women with normal cholesterol levels but
with elevated levels of "high-sensitivity C-reactive protein" or hs-CRP
-- a marker that indicates inflammation in the body -- took 20 milligrams of Crestor
a day and were compared to
a group taking a placebo pill. Designed to last up to five years, the
study was stopped after less than two years because endpoints were
apparently met. According to the statistical interpretations, participants taking Crestor reduced their risk of heart
attack, stroke and death compared with those taking the placebo pills. LDL cholesterol levels and hs-CRP levels were
reduced by Crestor. Interestingly, at the time the study was stopped,
it appeared that those who were taking Crestor were starting to have
higher blood sugar levels. You would think
the study would have continued to see if diabetes would set in after a few
more months or years of use.
Hardly any news organizations reported the potential downside of
taking this drug, flaws in the study, or misinterpretation of the results.
The rate of muscle
aches and liver damage by statins is much higher in clinical practice than
what is reported in studies. There may also be potential mental decline
from the use of statins. I still have not seen any studies where the use
of statins in those who have low or moderate cholesterol elevation has led
to a decrease in overall mortality. it is quite possible that a statin
drug can reduce cholesterol levels, reduce CRP levels, reduce the risk of heart attack
and
stroke, yet lead to a shorter lifespan. How could this happen you ask? This could be due to several
factors including muscle damage that leads a patient doing less
exercise, mental decline leading to a higher rate of dementia, lower mood or depression
leading to a higher rate of suicides, liver damage, kidney damage, and
other unknown and potentially serious side effects that could harm the
body.
A DOCTOR I CAN RESPECT. Fortunately, the website of ABC News had an
article by Dr. Nortin Hadler which reviewed the flaws of the study. Dr.
Nortin Hadler is professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill. If
your doctor advises you to take Crestor or another statin drug as a
consequence of the results of this study, you MUST read this article and
you MUST request that your doctor read it, too. The reduction in heart
attack or stroke was minimal, almost insignificant, not as high as the
news media made it seem. Plus, the cost of Crestor, blood tests, and
doctor visits can be several thousand dollars a year. Practically speaking
our health care system, particularly during these tough economic times,
cannot afford this heavy cost for minimal gain, it any gain at all. See
the link at the top of this page for a November newsletter article that
provides a link to an ABC news website article.
The headlines by news organizations are sometimes misleading. If you are a
regular reader of my newsletter you are aware that I have warned you not
to trust headlines and to be critical of what you read or hear. The media is not
sophisticated enough to understand and interpret studies. They often
believe and regurgitate whatever the drug companies tell them.
As a medical doctor who has studied natural ways to decrease
inflammation and heart disease, it saddens me that more natural and safer
approaches are not discussed or promoted as aggressively as studies
involving expensive and unsafe medications. There are so many natural ways to
reduce cholesterol, heart disease and inflammation including fish oils, psyllium and other
natural fibers, and
potentially the addition of spices such as curcumin, ginger, etc.
Q. I am writing from Australia. Earlier this year my Dr prescribed Crestor for me. The next morning I had side effects of swollen lips and tongue. As it was a public holiday I could not see my Dr and went to see my pharmacist. For 5 minutes he tried to sell me every kind of laxative and micro-enema. What? I finally shouted at him to listen to me and not his cash register. The best advice I could get was to see my Dr the next day. I did. He is a very good Dr but all of a sudden he treated me rudely and did not continue treatment he said he would do. My blood pressure was 200/110, he said I was sitting there waiting for a stroke. One of my carotid arteries is 60% blocked. He said he would bring my B/P to 120/80. After the Crestor business he lost all interest and now I am still waiting for a stroke.
Alzheimer's disease
The cholesterol-lowering benefits of statin drugs, such as Zocor and
Mevacor, do not prevent Alzheimer's disease or slow the cognitive decline in the
elderly. Neurology, January 16th online, 2008.
Statins,
diet and cholesterol
Direct comparison of a dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods with a
statin in hypercholesterolemic participants.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2005. Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor
Modification Center, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors reduce
serum cholesterol and are increasingly advocated in primary prevention to
achieve reductions in LDL cholesterol. Newer dietary approaches combining
cholesterol-lowering foods may offer another option, but these approaches have
not been compared directly with statins in the same persons. The objective was
to compare, in the same subjects, the cholesterol-lowering potential of a
dietary portfolio with that of a statin. Thirty-four hyperlipidemic
participants underwent all three 1-mo treatments in random order as outpatients:
a very-low-saturated-fat diet (control diet), the same diet plus 20 mg
lovastatin (statin diet), and a diet high in plant sterols (1.0 g/1000 kcal),
soy-protein foods (including soy milks and soy burgers, 21.4 g/1000 kcal),
almonds (14 g/1000 kcal), and viscous fibers from oats, barley, psyllium, and
the vegetables okra and eggplant (10 g/1000 kcal) (portfolio diets). LDL-cholesterol
concentrations decreased by 8%, 33%, and 29% after 4 wk
of the control, statin, and portfolio diets, respectively. Although the absolute
difference between the statin and the portfolio treatments was significant at 4
wk, 9 participants (26%) achieved their lowest LDL-cholesterol
concentrations with the portfolio diet. Moreover, the statin and the
portfolio diets did not differ significantly in their ability
to reduce LDL cholesterol below the 3.4-mmol/L primary prevention cutoff.
Dietary combinations may not differ in potency from
first-generation statins in achieving current lipid goals for primary
prevention. They may, therefore, bridge the treatment gap between current
therapeutic diets and newer statins.
Colon cancer
Taking a statin will lower your cholesterol level but it won't reduce your risk
of developing colorectal cancer. Dr. Harminder Singh of the University of
Manitoba in Winnipeg turned to Manitoba's province-wide prescription drug
database. He identified 35,739 middle-aged adults who were regular statin users,
including 10,287 who had been taking statins for at least 5 years (long-term
users), as well as 377,532 similarly aged adults with no record of a
prescription for statins. Dr. Harminder Singh found regular use of a statin did
not reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. American Journal of Gastroenterology,
December 2009.
Statin and flavonoid combination
Combination therapy of statin with flavonoids rich extract from chokeberry
fruits enhanced reduction in cardiovascular risk markers in patients after
myocardial infraction (MI).
Atherosclerosis. 2007. Department of Pharmacognosy and Molecular Basis of Phythotherapy,
Medical University of Warsaw, Ul. Banacha, Warszawa, Poland; Center for
Atherosclerosis Research, Pomeranian Medical University Szczecin, Poland.
Recent studies have shown, that chronic flavonoids treatment improves vascular
function and cardiovascular remodeling by decreasing superoxide anion production
as well as by increasing NO realize from endothelial cells. A progressive
decrease in systolic blood pressure and reduction of low-density lipoprotein
oxidation (Ox-LDL) has also been reported. However, none of these studies were
done in patient with coronary artery disease treated with statins. This was a
double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel trial. Forty-four patients (11 women
and 33 men, mean age 66 years) who survived myocardial infraction and have
received statin therapy for at least 6 months (80% dose of 40mg/day simvastatin)
were included in the study. The subjects were randomised to receive either 3x
85mg/day of chokeberry flavonoid extract (Aronia melanocarpa E) or placebo for a
period of 6 weeks. The study extract was a commercially-available product
of the following declared composition: anthocyans (about 25%), polymeric
procyanidines (about 50%) and phenolic acids (about 9%). Compared to placebo,
flavonoids significantly reduced serum 8-isoprostans and Ox-LDL levels, as well
as hsCRP and MCP-1. In view of the fact that chokeberry flavonoids
reduce the severity of inflammation, regardless of statins, they can be used
clinically for secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease.
Statins and Neuromuscular Disease
Statins may
unmask neuromuscular
disease. Patients with asymptomatic neuromuscular disorders may have their
condition precipitated by statin use, according to investigators from the
University of Athens Medical School.
Dr. Panagiota Manta and colleagues describe four such cases in the July 24th,
2006 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Case 1 was a 46-year-old man with a history of hypertension and diabetes
mellitus who was prescribed pravastatin for hypercholesterolemia. Three months
later, he complained of fatigue, muscle pain and stiffness. Serum creatine
kinase levels were persistently elevated. Genetic testing revealed myotonic
dystrophy.
Case 2 was a 62-year-old man with a history of MI and diabetes.
Hypercholesterolemia was treated with simvastatin. Creatine kinase levels became
persistently elevated. He was eventually diagnosed with McArdle disease.
Case 3 was a 51-year-old man with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia who was
hospitalized with acute rhabdomyolytis after taking atorvastatin for 18 months.
He was diagnosed with mitochondrial myopathy.
Case 4 case was a 58-year-old man with a history of hypertension, hyperuricemia
and coronary artery disease. He began treatment with pravastatin. Shortly after
a dose increase, he developed muscle twitching, muscle cramps and difficulty
walking. He was eventually diagnosed with Kennedy disease.
Eye disorders
Statin drugs, even at normal doses may cause rare instances of eye muscle
disorders such as ophthalmoplegia, diplopia and ptosis. Drs. F. W. Fraunfelder
and Amanda B. Richards, from the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science
University, Portland, collected reports from the National Registry of
Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects, the World Health Organization, and the Food
and Drug Administration. A total of 256 case reports of diplopia, ptosis, or
ophthalmoplegia associated with statins were identified in the databases. The
average time to occurrence of the adverse drug reaction was 8 months. Among the
256 case reports, 62 patients discontinued the statin and the diplopia or ptosis
resolved. Sixteen case reports indicate that the statin was started again and
the diplopia or ptosis reoccurred. Drs. F. W. Fraunfelder and Amanda B. Richards
think that the problem is due to a localized myositis in the extraocular muscles
just as statins can cause myositis in other skeletal muscles in the body.
Ophthalmology 2008.
Unrecognized
side effect of statin treatment: unilateral blepharoptosis.
Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006. Ankara University,
School of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Turkey.
A 43-year-old man receiving statin monotherapy (10 mg atorvastatin) for
hypercholesterolemia had unilateral blepharoptosis as the result of isolated
myositis of the levator muscle. Statin -induced myositis in the levator muscle
should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acquired unilateral
blepharoptosis of unknown cause.
Statins and Parkinson's disease, is there a link?
January 2007 - There may be a link between Parkinson's disease and low
levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol. Researchers at
the University of North Carolina are planning clinical trials involving
thousands of people to see whether statin drugs, which lower low LDL levels,
might actually trigger Parkinson's in some people. Other research has for
several years suggested that people with abnormally low levels of LDL might be
at higher risk of Parkinson's disease. Xuemei Huang and colleagues found that
patients with low levels of LDL cholesterol are at least 3 times more likely to
develop Parkinson's disease than those with higher LDL levels. Reporting in the
journal Chemistry & Industry, the investigators said they plan a bigger study of
patients taking statins, the biggest-selling drugs in the world. "I am very
concerned, which is why I am planning a 16,000-patient prospective study to
examine the possible role of statins," Huang said in a statement.
Prostate enlargement, BPH
Currently, medications to control urinary tract symptoms (alpha blockers) and
slow prostate growth (finasteride) are prescribed but they must be taken for the
rest of the man's life. Surgery to remove the prostate may also be recommended.
These therapies have risks and can be expensive. Taking statins for high
cholesterol appears to delay the development of an enlarged prostate, a common
condition in older men that can lead to incontinence and other distressing
symptoms. BJU International, published online August 26, 2010.
Names, product name and generic
BAYCOL- cerivastatin - pulled off market in Aug 2001 for rhabdomyolisis (excessive
muscle breakdown) and deaths.
CRESTOR-- rosuvastatin -- causes more muscle and
kidney damage than the other statins. AstraZeneca's cholesterol-lowering drug
Crestor has more than twice the side effects of rival statin drugs, including
deaths. Adverse effects include muscle damage known as rhabdomyolysis;
proteinuria or protein in the urine; nephropathy, a reduced ability of the
kidneys to filter toxins from the blood; and kidney failure.
There are potential benefits, though, with Crestor.
Crestor has been shown to partially reverse the build-up of plaque in coronary
arteries which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. AstraZeneca Plc's Crestor,
in a two-year study of 507 patients, showed that intensive treatment reduced
plaque volume by 7 percent to 9 percent. Crestor also reduced levels of LDL, or
"bad," cholesterol by more than 53 percent and raised levels of HDL, or "good,"
cholesterol by nearly 15 percent.
LESCOL- fluvastatin
July 2006 - Novartis Pharmaceuticals has announced
labeling changes to LESCOL ® (fluvastatin sodium) Capsules and LESCOL ® XL (fluvastatin
sodium) Extended-Release Tablets prescribing information: LESCOL and LESCOL XL
are now indicated as an adjunct to diet to reduce total cholesterol (total-C),
LDL-C, and Apo B levels in adolescent boys, and adolescent girls who are at
least one year postmenarche, 10 to 16 years of age, with heterozygous familial
hypercholesterolemia whose response to dietary restriction has not been adequate
and in whom the following findings are present: LDL-C remains ³190 mg/dL or LDL-C
remains ³160 mg/dL, and there is either a positive family history of premature
cardiovascular disease or two or more other cardiovascular disease risk factors
are present. LESCOL XL may now be taken at any time of the day.
LIPITOR
is the product brand name for
atorvastatin - The
popular cholesterol-reducing drug Lipitor made by Pfizer does not prevent
obstruction of the heart valve that leads to the aorta, the body's largest
artery, according to June 2005 findings published in The New England Journal of
Medicine. In a study conducted to determine whether the cholesterol drug, also
known by its generic name atorvastatin, did more than just reduce cholesterol,
doctors found that Lipitor failed to prevent obstructions that can keep the
heart from pumping blood adequately. The condition, known as calcified aortic
stenosis, occurs when a key heart valve narrows or becomes blocked, preventing
the heart from pumping blood properly and can manifest itself in spite of
reductions of cholesterol levels.
Pfizer is doing research with a drug that supposedly
will help increase HDL cholesterol. The name of this drug is
torcetrapib.
MEVACOR- lovastatin
PRAVACHOL- pravastatin
- Pravachol is the brand name. Pravastatin is the generic name. Pravachol is a
statin drug used to decrease LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels and
increase the HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) level. Pravachol is also
prescribed to reduce coronary heart disease events and deaths due to heart
attack or stroke.
Email received
in 2011
After taking the drug pravastatin for high cholesterol, it affected an old
injury received 40+ years ago. My eye has become very swollen, painful,
developed a sore that continuously drains and now i’m unable to see clearly out
of that eye.
ZOCOR is the
product name for the statin drug simvastatin - in June, 2006, a generic version of Zocor (simvastatin) was approved. In the United States, Zocor is the second most
widely prescribed drug in the "statin" category of cholesterol-lowering
medicines.
While both simvastatin and pravastatin help lower levels of
low-density lipoprotein (LDL), simvastatin is lipophilic, meaning it is soluble
in fats, while pravastatin is hydrophilic, meaning it is soluble in water.
Because simvastatin is fat soluble, it can more easily penetrate cell membranes,
making its way across the blood-brain barrier. Simvastatin statin use is
associated with insomnia or sleep problems.
Adding fenofibrate to simvastatin gives type 2 diabetics no
additional protection against heart attack, stroke and cardiac mortality, nor
does intensive blood pressure control, the ACCORD study shows. The results of
the ACCORD blood pressure and lipid clinical trials were also presented today at
the American College of Cardiology's 59th annual scientific session in Atlanta,
March 2010.
Email 2011 - About
2yrs ago my husband had a severe reaction (rhabdomyleosis) to cholesterol
medicine (Zocor)
Grapefruit and
statin drugs
Scientists at Hebrew University in Jerusalem divided 57 men and women who had
recently undergone coronary bypass surgery and whose blood cholesterol remained
high despite treatment with statin drugs into three groups. One group ate a
single serving of red
grapefruit every day; another ate a serving of white
grapefruit and the third group had none. Otherwise, all three groups ate an
ordinary balanced diet. At the end of 30 days, the researchers found that the
grapefruit eaters—especially those eating red grapefruit—had significant
decreases in cholesterol, while the abstainers did not.
What it Means: Combining grapefruit and statins to treat stubbornly high
cholesterol levels is an experimental remedy that should be done only under
close medical supervision. Grapefruit contains antioxidant chemicals, which may
be responsible in part for the effect. But grapefruit also increases the body's
absorption of statins, which is why the drugs usually come with warnings not to
eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice. Too high a level of statins in the
blood can lead to serious muscle damage.
Does taking certain cholesterol-lowering drugs at the same
time as grapefruit juice increase the risk of potentially life-threatening
muscle toxicity? The risk appears to be greatest with Merck & Co Inc's Zocor, or
simvastatin, which went on sale without prescription in Britain, and Pfizer
Inc's Lipitor. The problem occurs because grapefruit contains a chemical that
inactivates a liver enzyme involved in drug metabolism. As a result, regular
consumption of grapefruit juice can lead to excessively high levels of statins
in the blood. The risk of serious muscle problems also increases when these
cholesterol pills, or statins, are taken along with some other drugs, including
HIV protease inhibitors.
Statins and Cognitive Function
The cholesterol-lowering drugs statins do not
appear to lower the risk of
dementia or Alzheimer's disease, except possibly in
cases of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. This runs counter to reports
indicating that statins do, in fact, reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's
disease.
Statin drugs, such as Lipitor or Zocor, widely used for lowering
cholesterol, may slightly impair brain function and perhaps harm brain
cells. Doctors have known for quite some time that these drugs cause
muscle tissue damage and lower CoQ10 levels in the blood. How statins
interfere with optimal brain function is not clear, but my best guess is
due to
interference with cholesterol metabolism. Cholesterol is involved in the
formation of
pregnenolone and other
hormones in the brain. These hormones
are crucial for memory. There's still so much we don't know about the long
term risks of statins. I only recommend their use in cases of very high
cholesterol levels where natural remedies have failed. Besides, even
though lowering cholesterol is important, too much emphasis has been
placed on cholesterol reduction as opposed to reducing the whole
inflammatory process that leads to clogging of vessels with plaques.
Statins and
cognitive function in the elderly: the Cardiovascular Health Study.
Neurology. 2005. Bernick C, Katz R, Smith NL, Rapp S, Bhadelia R,
Carlson M, Kuller L; Cardiovascular Health Study Collaborative Research Group.
Department of Medicine, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV
89102, USA.
To examine the association of statin drug use on cognitive and MRI change in
older adults. Participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study, a longitudinal
study of people age 65 or older, were classified into three groups determined by
whether they were taking statin drugs on a continuous basis, intermittently, or
not at all. The untreated group was further divided into categories based on
National Cholesterol Education Program recommendations for lipid-lowering
treatment. Statin drug use was associated with a slight reduction in cognitive
decline in an elderly population. This relationship could not be completely
explained by the effect of statins on lowering of serum cholesterol.
Dementia
Statin drugs do not prevent Alzheimer's disease or dementia according to Dr.
Bernadette McGuinness from Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK. Cochrane
Database of Systematic Reviews 2009.
Statins and cancer
Statin drugs do not appear to prevent cancer. The results of a study, published
in the journal Epidemiology, do not support an association between statin use
and the occurrence of 10 different cancer types, including the four most common
in the US -- lung, breast, colon and prostate cancer. Epidemiology March 2007.
Statins and risk of cancer: A systematic review and metaanalysis.
Int J Cancer. 2006; Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of
Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
We conducted a systematic review of the association between HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitor ( statin ) use and cancer risk. Thirty-eight individual studies (26
randomized trials involving 103,573 participants and 12 observational studies
with 826,854 participants) were included. Median follow-up was 3.6 and 6.2 years
for trials and observational studies, respectively. In metaanalyses of
randomized trials, there was no evidence that statin therapy was associated with
incidence of all-cancers or the following site-specific cancers: breast, prostate, colorectum, lung, genito-urinary, melanoma; or gastric. There was no evidence of differential effects by length of
follow-up, statin type (lipophilic vs. lipophobic) or potency. Trial results
were generally consistent with observational studies. We conclude that statin
use is not associated with short-term cancer risk, but longer-latency effects
remain possible.
Dr. Sahelian comments: It takes sometimes at least 10 years to
determine whether the use of a drug or substance leads to a higher cancer rate.
The followup of 3 to 6 years of statin treatment tells us little.
Statins and
breast cancer
Women who use statin drugs to lower their cholesterol are probably no
more likely to develop breast cancer than women who do not use the statins
although this is not for certain yet since different studies have shown
different results.
Statins and colon cancer
Contrary to findings from lab research and epidemiologic evidence,
results of a new large study show no reduction in the overall risk of colorectal
cancer among people who take a "statin" drug such as Lipitor or Zocor for their
hearts. As reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the
researchers compared statin use among 1809 patients with colorectal cancer and
1809 similar but cancer-free "controls." Taking statins regularly for 3 months
or longer had no apparent effect on the overall risk of colorectal cancer.
Moreover, no consistent trends in statin dosage or duration of use were seen.
However, statin users were only half as likely to have advanced (stage IV)
colorectal cancer as were nonusers. The new findings strongly suggest that
statins are not useful for preventing colorectal cancer. Journal of the National
Cancer Institute, January 3, 2007.
Statins and fibrates
Today’s top-selling statins could be risky when taken with other drugs
called fibrates by older people with diabetes. Fibrates alone can be dangerous.
These drugs lower triglycerides and often are taken by diabetics.
When to take
statins
Doctors should use "good" (HDL) cholesterol levels to
determine which elderly patients are most likely to benefit from statin therapy.
Statin therapy may be indicated if the HDL level falls below 40 mg/dL or if
the ratio between "bad" (LDL) cholesterol and HDL is greater than 3.3. With
higher HDL levels, little benefit is achieved with statin therapy. Statin drugs
should be used if diet and natural supplements have not been successful in
lowering very high cholesterol levels.
Statins and the
elderly
Although statins may lower mortality in heart attack sufferers who are
between 65 and 80 years old, they may not be effective in older patients.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, March 2006.
Statins and CoQ10
Considerations
for supplementing with coenzyme Q10 during statin therapy.
Ann Pharmacother. 2006. Levy HB, Kohlhaas
HK. HbL PharmaConsulting, St. Louis, MO
To review the literature concerning the effects of statin use on coenzyme (Co)
Q10 concentrations and explain the rationale behind considering CoQ10
supplementation. A MEDLINE search was conducted through January 2006. Search
terms included ubiquinone, coenzyme Q10, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, statins,
myotoxicity, and clinical trials. Statin therapy reduces blood CoQ10
concentrations. Studies exploring how this affects the development of
myotoxicity have been small and dissimilar, thus limiting the ability to draw
strong conclusions. Isolated studies suggested that statins induce mitochondrial
dysfunction, but the clinical implications of this effect are limited. Limited
data suggest that patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, heart failure, or
who are over 65 years of age might represent at-risk populations who would
benefit from CoQ10 supplementation.
Protective
effect of
coenzyme Q10
in simvastatin and gemfibrozil statin induced rhabdomyolysis in rats.
Indian J Exp Biol. 2005.
Administration of the statins simvastatin (80 mg/kg, po. evening dose) and
gemfibrozil (600 mg/kg, po twice) for 30 days produced significant decrease in
the level of reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and increase in
the level of lipid peroxidation and various serum parameters (creatine
phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase,
creatinine, urea and blood urea nitrogen). This suggested involvement of statin
treatment in oxidative stress in rhabdomyolysis. Increase in the level of
reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and decrease in the level of
lipid peroxidation and serum parameters after administration of antioxidant
CoQ10 (10 mg/kg.ip) proved the protective effect of CoQ10 in rhabdomyolysis.
Hepatitis virus
Statins, which are typically used as anti-cholesterol medications, can
inhibit the replication of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). These findings are
published in the July 2006 issue of Hepatology, the official journal of the
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). The standard
treatment for hepatitis C is a combination therapy of interferon and ribavirin,
which is only effective in about 55 percent of patients. The remaining 45
percent face a threat of the disease progressing to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Based on recent reports that one statin, lovastatin, inhibits HCV replication,
researchers led by Masanori Ikeda of Okayama University in Japan, tested other
statins in search of a more effective anti-HCV therapy. Using the OR6 cell
culture assay system, they evaluated the anti-HCV activities of five statins:
atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin. When the
statins were tested alone, all except pravastatin inhibited HCV replication.
Fluvastatin had the strongest effect. Atorvastatin and simvastatin had moderate
effects while lovastatin had a weak effect. While pravastatin exhibited no anti-HCV
activity, it did work as an inhibitor for HMG-CoA reductase, suggesting that the
anti-HCV activities of the other stains are not due to the direct inhibition of
HMG-CoA. The researchers determined that the anti-HCV activities of statins were
not related to cytotoxicity, meaning they did not kill the host cell. Additional
experiments also suggested that, "the statins possess the ability to inhibit the
replication of HCV RNA via a specific antiviral mechanism.
Statin use and anesthesia
People who experience myalgia after taking statins (HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitors) may have impaired calcium homeostasis, which could mean they're at
risk for malignant hyperthermia if they're exposed to halogenated anesthetics
and other agents. In the August 15th issue of Arthritis and Rheumatism, Dr.
David Bendahan of Faculte de Medecine de la Timone, Marseilles and colleagues
comment that statins may cause myotoxic effects. To investigate possible
skeletal-muscle related mechanisms, the researchers studied 11 patients with
increased creatine kinase levels and myalgias after statin treatment. None of
the patients or their family members had a history of adverse reactions to
volatile anesthetics. Nine patients underwent muscle biopsies, and in vitro
halothane and caffeine contracture tests were conducted on the specimens. The
results were abnormal in seven of the patients, indicating impaired calcium
homeostasis. Moreover, results were positive for both halothane and caffeine in
two patients demonstrating that they were susceptible to malignant hyperthermia.
Given these findings, the researchers advise that "statin treatment must be
administered with caution to patients with a known susceptibility to malignant
hyperthermia." Dr. Bendahan says creatine kinase assays should be performed
before the initiation of any statin treatment. Arthritis Rheum 2006;55:551-557.
Statin drugs damage mitochondria
The mitochondria are structures in cells that make adenosine triphosphate,
or ATP, which helps power cells. Statins lower ATP levels and interfere with the
mitochondria. Three statin drugs (fluvastatin, lovastatin and simvastatin)
produce strong decreases in cellular ATP levels and mitochondrial) activity.
Fluvastatin is sold by Novartis under the brand name Lescol, lovastatin is sold
under the brand name Mevacor, and simvastatin is sold as Zocor. Three others --
atorvastatin, made by Pfizer under the brand name Lipitor, pravastatin, sold as
Pravachol, made by Bristol Myers Squibb and rosuvastatin, sold under the Crestor
brand name by AstraZeneca -- have little effect on mitochondria.
Other drugs that are similar to statins in their activity in mitochondria
include propranolol, amoxapine, cyclobenzaprine, griseofulvin, pentamidine,
paclitaxel, propafenone, ethaverine, trimeprazine and amitriptyline.
Questions
Q. Is it okay to take
serrapeptase
enzyme or
nattokinase enzymes
the same day as statin drugs?
A. This is a good question. I don't know, but my first
impression is to be cautious and not to combine statins and these proteolytic
enzymes.
Q. Thanks for
this writeup in your August 2006 newsletter regarding statin use and muscle
damage. In your opinion, would the same be true for red yeast rice which has statin -like properties?
A. Red yeast rice has many substances in it, one of them being
similar to a statin drug. Plus, different red yeast rice supplements on the
market may have different compositions. it is difficult to say whether red yeast rice causes
muscle damage. We have not had this reported to us yet, but we keep an open
mind.
Q. I am new to your medical newsletter and I like what I read.. you can add me to the list of leg muscle pain taking the statin Lipitor. i took this statin medication for 2 yrs and stopped 3 months ago.
Q. I am a
medical doctor. I was placed on Crestor after my cholesterol became elevated. I
had also become diabetic -- both after being on many medications for various
illnesses. I developed so-called diabetic peripheral neuropathy. I say "so
called" because there was a possibility I had plantar fasciitis, and I insisted
that all other possible causes of the neuropathy be ruled out. Internists and
neurologists insisted that the statin Crestor was not a possible cause. I
subsequently "googled" "statins and peripheral neuropathy"...Needless to say,
much was found. I insisted that I be taken off the Crestor, and received PT for
possible plantar fasciitis. During this time, I wrote Dr. Lam at his web site,
asking if red yeast rice, as a "natural" statin, could also cause peripheral
neuropathy. He replied, "Yes". He suggested alternatives, which I cannot
remember at this time. I am writing out of concern that perhaps the red yeast
rice could cause similar problems as the pharmaceutical statins. Also wondering
if CoQ10 supplementation might also be necessary for the red yeast rice!
A. I have not seen any research
regarding the role of red yeast rice and muscle tissue damage.
Q. Dr. Sahelian, I've been following your advice and even though I'm 75, my health has been improving. In Jan 2001, a cardiologist rushed me into heart surgery and then prescribed statin drugs, one of which caused me to cough 24 hours a day, I got off of it, then heard it was taken off the market due to causing deaths The statin drug was Baycol manufactured by Bayer. Thank you for your reliable information. My friend's husband is 60 and has had heart surgery, has diabetes, and is in terrible health; I've forwarded your information to her in hopes it will be as much help to her has it has to me.
Q. Are there
special risks associated with discontinuing statin use, as opposed to not
starting it in the first place. I've noticed a lot of muscle fatigue in my legs
since starting to take Lovastatin ( Mevacor ), although I hadn't previously
associated the pain with the drug as a statin side effect. I stopped taking the
lovastatin and the pain in my legs went away immediately! Now I need to figure
out if I should take it every other day, once a week, or not at all . .
A. There have not been any problems mentioned in the medical
literature with abrupt discontinuation of statin drugs, you could consider at
first using it every other day after discussing with your doctor until you
implement natural ways for cholesterol reduction. I think statin drugs are being
overused and are less safe than doctors think.
Q. I'm thinking that I'll get more
exercise without taking this statin drug, since the pain was keeping me away
from dancing and other activity that would exercise my joints- I was assuming it
was arthritis-related, and that I should reduce stress on my joints to prevent
it from getting worse! I could live with high cholesterol levels- it was never
something I was particularly concerned about in the past. I'm amazed that the
information on statin drug use and muscle aches hasn't gotten wider exposure-
I've mentioned it to a few friends who also said they had cut down or
discontinued cholesterol medication!
Q. This is my
Kaiser general internist's (tee hee) reply to the message I sent him - a quote
from your newsletter. "Those of you who are regular readers of my newsletter have heard me repeatedly say
that, even though statin drugs such as
Lipitor and Zocor reduce cholesterol levels, there is no proof they
help people live longer. A recent medical journal article appears to validate my
viewpoint. Fortunately, this journal article from Archives of Internal Medicine,
November 27, 2006 got picked up by the news media. The CNN headline said, "
Study doubts benefits of universal statin drug use." The CNN article begins,
"Cholesterol-regulating statin drugs slightly lower the risk of heart attack and
stroke in people with no history of cardiovascular disease but may do little to
reduce their risk of death." My doctor replied, This is not a good statin study;
the author's themselves in the conclusion of it note that they did not break the
subjects into groups with varying levels of risk. Other statin studies show a
clear benefit for diabetics. Also, this study only addresses primary prevention
(ie those people who have never had a stroke or heart attack); the authors note
that these people benefit from statins. Lastly, while the death rate was not
decreased, the risk of heart attack and stroke was. I think most people would
not like to have a nonfatal heart attack or stroke. So I don't think this statin
study really changes anybodies recommendations.
A. Perhaps future research will further clarify this
controversy, but for the time being it is the doctor's duty to provide proof
that a 1000 or 2000 dollar a year statin drug will be of significant benefit to
the patient and enhance lifespan and quality of life with few side effects
before haphazardly prescribing it. I'm not sure dying of other causes besides a
stroke or heart attack is any more pleasant. Your doctor's answer does not
seem rational.
Q. I just finished reading your article on the infamous statin drugs! My
cholesterol always hovered around the 180 mark which is fine by all the
standards, and my LDL, bad cholesterol, was always around 100, again ok, and my
triglycerides hovered around the upper range at150 - 160 or so!...About 6 months
ago, I started taking flush free niacin (over the counter!) to see what would
happen to my cholesterol levels, added 2 grams of fish oil, and a garlic
supplement!. I DID "NOT" CHANGE MY DIET!!...To the astonishment of both my Dr.
and to myself last week, the following results came back. TOTAL CHOLESTEROL,
138, LDL, 86, TRIGLYCERIDES, 90..... My HDL, well, I've always had a bit of a
problem with that being around 36 or so and have tried everything, went to
40....My point being that one should explore 'every possible option' before
putting the dangerous statins into their systems. Additionally, statins deplete
the body of CoQ10. Doctors don't tell you to supplement with CoQ10 if you are on
a statin drug. My best to
you,. Chuck Kelley, llcarlos48@yahoo.com.
You may use my name if you wish, and I have 'documentation' if you wish
also.
Q. I am a
retired drug rep. My cardiologist could not believe my lipid profile without the
use of statins. I take 1 tbls. of pharmaceutical grade fish oil each day. My
triglycerides dropped by 40%!
Q. After 7
months of various statin protocols I completely stopped in March 06 due to
extensive pain in the thighs and calfs and started a daily regiment of 2400mg of
red yeast rice. The muscular discomfort has slowly decreased. Last month I added
200mg of Co Q10 to my daily regimen. The lingering muscular discomfort has gone.
I credit CoQ10 for the relief. I wish to continue CoQ10 along with the Red Yeast
Rice and would appreciate your comments, recommended dosage and frequency.
A. There is no standard nutritional regimen that will apply to
everyone. As a rule, the best option is to use the lowest amount of supplements
that work. Personally, I prefer to use less than 60 mg of CoQ10 a day, and there
have been cases of muscle aches with red yeast rice hence the lowest amount that
works in reducing cholesterol.
Q. I really am glad to see that someone is writing the TRUTH about statin drugs. I was diagnosed with high cholesterol, at age 25, that was 20 years ago. One of the cardiologist that I worked with at the time, told me that my condition was most likely genetic. He left it up to me as to whether or not to take meds for the condition. I opted not to, despite my cholesterol of 285, because I felt uneasy about the liver implications. The last time I had my cholesterol checked, was a couple of years ago and it was 308. It has stayed in that range for the past ten years. One doctor prescribed statin Lipitor, which I did NOT take; I never filled the prescription! However, the information went on my chart, and now I am self-employed, and honest, and due to the fact that this statin drug was prescribed, I have been denied health insurance. I wonder how many people realize that once they begin taking statin drugs that they are considered a "high risk" for heart attack or bypass surgery? Do they know that if they ever attempt to obtain private insurance, they can be denied based on this "high risk" categorization? To dispute this presumption of CAD, I had a an echo-cardiogram and a treadmill test. My echo was good, and I did exceptionally well on the treadmill test; better than 70% of women my age (or so I was told). Even with this information, I still cannot get health insurance! Because of this, and my desire to lower my cholesterol, I recently started taking policosanol and I am hoping to see a drop in my cholesterol. I will keep you posted. I may drop dead tomorrow of a massive MI, however, at least I will not have died a slow painful death from my liver being destroyed because of statin drugs! I know people, who despite taking statin drugs, still had to have stents or bypass surgery, or died.
Q. I am suffering from a severe case of rhabdomyolysis caused by statin drugs which were used to lower my cholesterol.
Q. I've had high cholesterol all of my life , some 240 plus and last year increased to the 270 plus level. I've tried all diets, supplements to no effect. Doctor had me on simvastatin 40 MG but I just felt ill , weak and poor balance on them and only took them a couple of weeks before quitting. This I did for three different times. I obtained a copy of Dr Duane Graveline book, Statin Drugs Side Effects; The last thirty days I have been taking 6 to 10 grams of vitamin C and equal amounts of Omega 3 Fish Oil. The reason the amounts vary is that I forget to take them at times. I had a checkup at the VA clinic yesterday and cholesterol has dropped to 221, some 50 points. This has been the lowest I have ever had. I had took the last statin in Nov. last year. I expect the level to drop more. The ratios are out but hopefully they will improved in the future. I has a Carotid Artery screening a couple of months ago and Plaque build up was rated mild / moderate range which is "insignificant", so I must be doing something right. Also I am 67 years old.
Q. I have been
diagnosed with cfids chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome since 2001.
I am 55 years old now, I suffer greatly. My doctor doesn't know what to do for
me. I take tramadol everyday. After I do any physical work, about 5 hours later
my entire body (muscles) are killing me...I am getting worse ...Just before I
came down with this I was put on pravachol statin drug for high cholesterol, I
then had muscle weakness and my doctor took me off of it. To this day we wonder
if this was a pravachol side effect that did this to me. I can't take this, the
body pain is awful.
A. It's difficult for us to say whether the pravachol statin drug
was the cause, but it is a possibility. Statin drugs can unmask neuromuscular
diseases. See the link towards the top of the page regarding neuromuscular
damage and conditions that statin drugs may induce or aggravate.
Q. I have read
recommendations that the appropriate dosage of CoQ10 for those who are on statin
drugs is 300 mg. Is this true?
A. We don't know for sure what the right CoQ10 dosage would be for
those on statin drugs, but 300 mg is too high and can cause side effects. For
now, we prefer 30 to 50 mg a few times a week.
Q. I have had
several patients report to me that they have developed tremors after taking
statins to lower cholesterol; and these tremors persist even after stopping the
statins. They also report their doctors say this is a possible side effect. I
have not seen this statin drug side effect reported in any literature I've read.
Do you have any knowledge of this statin side effect?
A. I have not come across in any medical journal publication
tremors as a side effect of stating drug use. However, I have come across two
patients who thought the use of statin drugs caused tremors. I await further
studies and case reports before having more confidence in this possible statin
drug side effect.
Q. I was prescribed a statin drug about a week ago (Simvastatin which is generic Zocor). I am having muscle cramps, diarrhea, and stomach cramps every morning. I just threw the prescription in the trash today after using for 6 days. My total cholesterol is 253, LDL is 179. Triglycerides are OK at 122, and HDL at 50. I take fish oil - 1200 mg, CoQ10 - 50 mg, and alpha lipoic acid -100 mg. daily in addition to a multivitamin and chondroitin / glucosamine plus MSM.
Q. Thanks for
your recent news letter on statin drugs. With the article on statins I had to
write with my experience. The VA put me on simvastatin 40 mg a day. I don't like
to take any drugs and find that I'm very susceptible to any drug. I found a
article by a Dr Duane Graveline, and purchased his book "Statin Drugs Side
Effects and the misguided war on cholesterol" I took 6 grams of vitamin C and a equal amount
of Omega 3 fish oil per day. In 60 days my cholesterol dropped from 270 to 220.
Don't have the ratios handy. I've since threw my statins away. Dr Duane
Graveline maintains that most people are deficient in Vitamin C.
A. Thanks for the feedback. I was not aware of a book by Dr
Duane Graveline, "Statin Drugs Side Effects and the misguided war on
cholesterol."
Q. I am a doctor. My wife, 67, never smoked, no alcohol, very active physically (non stop gardening and ceramicist who hunks and throws clay up to 10kg at a a time) was started on 20mg Pravastatin ten weeks ago for high cholesterol / LDL. Two weeks ago she felt sensitivity at upper right abdomen; unabated for 7 days. Then weakness / loss of appetite/ reduced drinking during a day. Early that day a GP muttered about Gall bladder after consulting current diagnosis software: she proposed ultrasound; queue, 4 weeks. Later in day, weaker and weaker, no temp. yet, back to a different GP (same practice). He was concerned: to ER. Passed out sitting! amylase already 3300 + temp (37.4)! Statin stopped immediately; no food, no statin, pain stopped in 15 hours. Four days in ward; starvation, iv water/salts - ie wide metabolic 'rest'. After four days amylase down to 100. Liver function fine apart from elevated LDH; slight rise in blood urea / also normal after 4 days; ultrasound was negative as also CT, no sign of biliary deposits problem. Other exclusions: hepatitis etc etc. As in 20-30% of cases of pancreatitis, the doctors have no suggestions. After 3 days back home wife seems herself, eating carefully; we hope that this is first/last time My comments: Statins can have very wide 'light' effects over a range of systems. So damage can be slight but slow, unnoticed till the cart tips suddenly. This is a particularly dangerous kind of situation. My wife is lucky - we hope ....; another week to diagnosis and the pancreatitis could have led to permanent pancreatic damage (at least cartilage and muscle effects are noticeable). Not only is the public very unaware of the danger to the pancreas, but it seems most GPs too! This is unacceptable. Is the FDA unaware too? Thanks for keeping an eye out for an unsatisfactorily protected public.
My husband
cannot take prescription statins due to severe muscle weakness. What would be a
good substitute? His numbers are high. I wonder if red yeast rice would have the
same affect of muscle weakness as statins?
It's possible that some red yeast rice products could cause
muscle pain or weakness, but there are many other natural supplements that are
useful in those with high cholesterol levels.
Several years ago I participated in a long term study of lovastatin (almost 6 years). Was monitored frequently and had no problems. After the study was completed I discontinued the statin. When tested a couple of years later cholesterol was up again (240). After reading about potential problems with statins, I wanted to try the more natural supplement way. I began taking red yeast rice and fish oil daily as advocated by N3 Oceanic (Rescue 1250) and others. This worked as well as the lovastatin with no problems. At some point a couple of years ago the government found that there was some lovastatin in the red yeast rice and that was why it was helping keep cholesterol down. Of course they enjoined the companies from marketing the product. I tried the new product for over a year and it did not help my cholesterol problem. A MD started me on Zocor 20 mg which I quickly cut in half as I wanted to try the lowest dose possible. On next visit with him, lab results showed I was getting lower than I wanted to be (140s). Presently I take 10 mg Zocor on 3 days per week and 5 mg 3 days. None on 1 day. I am doing fine at this level(170s). I guess the point of this is that the presently constructed red yeast rice doesn't work for everyone and the low dosing of Zocor can be effective. I have continued with the fish oil all along. Enjoy your newsletters.
I am a healthy
person. I recently started taking pravastatin 20mg once a day for moderate
hypercholesterolemia. After 5 months of treatment my lab work showed mild
elevation in ALT, AST and significant increase in GGT (195). Labs also showed a
BUN of 28 and serum creatinine of 1.2. I am totally asymptomatic but obviously
very nervous. Can you please advice?
This is a decision you and your doctor would have to make.