Alester Brown

Do Statins Have a Long List of Side Effects?

Statins are a common treatment option for those dealing with high cholesterol. This medication works by blocking certain substances required to make cholesterol. They can reduce the amount of cholesterol your liver makes while helping it remove cholesterol already in your blood.

Millions of people take statins to lower their cholesterol levels, and many benefit greatly. However, statins are like all medicines. They come with side effects that you and your health care provider must consider before introducing them as part of your treatment.

The Most Common Statin Side Effects

The term "statins" refers to a class of medication. There are many different types of statins, and the possible side effects can vary from drug to drug. Furthermore, people react to the drugs in different ways.

That said, the most common issues you can encounter include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Lethargy
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Bloating and gas
• Sleep problems
• Low blood platelet count
• Muscle pain

Fortunately, these side effects are usually mild and occur when starting statins. Typically, they become less of an issue after the first week. If these side effects persist, consult with your doctor.

Less Common Statin Side Effects

While the side effects are common, there are several that only a small percentage of people who take statins will experience. They include:

• Feeling sick
• Hair loss
• Memory problems
• The feeling of pins and needles
• Flu-like symptoms from liver inflammation
• Pancreatitis
• Stomach pain
• Skin issues
• Loss of libido
• Erectile dysfunction

If you experience any of these symptoms, speak with your doctor. Some of them can lead to long-term health problems, so your health care provider may explore other ways to lower your cholesterol without the use of statins.

In rare cases, statins can come with severe side effects. For example, some people can experience muscle weakness and inflammation. Muscle pain caused by statins can be serious, so it's important to speak with your doctor to ensure it's safe to take them.

The same goes for rare side effects like the loss of sensation in the hands and feet or issues with your tendons.

Author Resource:-

Alester Brown writes about heart health & cholesterol topics. She advises people on the highest quality clinically-proven foods to help lower your cholesterol. You can find her thoughts at healthy fats blog.