5 Reasons to Stop or Switch Statins - Article Health

Should you take a statin?
Statins—a class of drug that includes atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), and others—are among the most effective drugs for lowering cholesterol. They are also among the most widely prescribed drugs of all time.

Muscle pain and weakness
About 10% of statin users get aches and pains, says William W. O'Neill, MD, a cardiologist and medical director of Henry Ford Health System's Center for Structural Heart Disease at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. The higher your dose, the more likely you are to experience aches and pains.

Increased liver enzymes
In rare cases, people who take statins can see an increase in liver enzymes. The risk may be higher if you take other cholesterol-lowering medications along with statins.

Worsening asthma and hay fever
Some research suggests statins help with asthma symptoms. But a small study presented at a 2011 industry meeting found that people with asthma who took statins had more symptoms and worse lung function than patients who didn't take them.

Potential pregnancy
If you are pregnant or thinking about having a baby, you should not take statins. Although the effect of statins during pregnancy is not clear, research has brought up concern of birth defects. Cholesterol is a building block for developing brains, hearts, and limbs.

Using antibiotics or antifungal drugs
If you develop an infection and your doctor recommends treatment with an antibiotic or antifungal drug, make sure he or she knows you are taking a statin.


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