June 4, 2010 – The use of statins – a family of drugs to lower blood cholesterol levels – can cause several side effects affecting the eyes, liver, kidneys and muscles.

This is indicated by British researchers who analyzed the records of more than 2 million patients, 16% of whom were or had already been treated with statins.

According to the data collected, for every 10 users, taking statins over 000 years prevents 5 cases of heart disease, and 271 the number of cases of esophageal cancer.

However, it also causes 307 additional cases of cataracts, 74 cases of liver dysfunction, 39 cases of myopathy and 23 additional cases of moderate or severe cases of renal failure, again for every 10 users of the drug over 000 years.

These side effects appeared as frequently in men as in women, except for myopathy – or muscle degeneration – which affected nearly twice as many men as women.

And if these side effects occurred throughout the 5 years in which the patients were followed, it is especially during the 1^re year of treatment they were the most frequent.

These data apply to all types of statins used in the study, i.e. simvastatin (prescribed for over 70% of participants), atorvastatin (22%), pravastatin (3,6%), rosuvastatin (1,9%) and fluvastatin (1,4%).

However, fluvastatin caused more liver problems compared to other categories of statins.

According to the researchers, this study is one of the few to measure the extent of the harmful consequences of taking statins – most comparing the effect of these on reducing cardiovascular risk to a placebo.

Also, they believe that the problems observed should not obscure the 24% decrease in cardiovascular disease cases that taking drugs has provided, within the framework of this study.

Listening to patients more

In light of the side effects listed in this study, the researchers recommend that doctors follow their patients more closely to quickly detect side effects that may occur, to adjust or stop their medication, if necessary.

This is also the opinion of cardiologist Paul Poirier, director of the cardiac prevention and rehabilitation program at the Institut de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec.

“This study gives us the real figures as to the occurrence of adverse effects, and they are serious,” he said. Moreover, in the clinic, when a patient treated with statins suffers from muscular dystrophy or liver problems, the medication is stopped. “

The high risk of suffering from cataracts surprises Paul Poirier. “This information is new and it is not trivial since it affects the elderly who are already sick, to which there is a risk of adding an additional problem,” he continues.

According to the cardiologist, the results are also a warning for countries juggling the idea of ​​making statins available without a prescription.

“It is clear that the use of statins requires monitoring and requires that patients be adequately informed of potential side effects,” adds the cardiologist.

But more than that, the UK study serves as a reminder to doctors treating their patients with statins.

“A statin is a drug that carries risks and we have to follow patients more closely. Above all, we must listen and believe a patient who complains of symptoms, even if these are not listed in the scientific literature: a patient is not a statistic or an average and must be treated in a unique way ”, concludes the D^r Păr.

Martin LaSalle - PasseportSanté.net

1. Hippisley-Cox J, et al, Unintended effects of statins in men and women in England and Wales: population based cohort study using the QResearch database, British Medical Journal, published online 20 May 2010,; 340: c2197.

2. Rosenberg H, Allard D, Prudence oblige: the use of statins in women, Action for the protection of the health of the women, June 2007.