"Statins do not cause the majority of the possible side effects listed, including memory loss, depression, sleep disturbance, weight gain and impotence, says the team funded by the British Heart Foundation. Meanwhile, they can slash a person's risk of heart attacks and strokes. The results, in The Lancet journal, come from trials involving more than 120,000 people comparing statins with a dummy drug or placebo."
"As with any medicine, there can be side effects, but these are few. Reports of adverse effects were almost identical in the placebo group that was not on the medication, suggesting statins are not the cause. None of the patients in the trials knew if the pill they were taking was real or a pretend one. In the review, only four side-effects out of 66 listed were found to have any association with taking statins, and only in a very small proportion of patients."
"There was no increase in liver disease such as hepatitis or liver failure, suggesting that the liver blood test changes did not lead to more serious liver problems. Statin therapy can sometimes cause muscle damage, but this is rare. They can also cause a small increase in blood sugar levels which might bring on diabetes sooner in people who are susceptible. Again, this is rare."
Statins markedly reduce LDL cholesterol and lower risks of heart attack and stroke. Large randomized trials involving more than 120,000 people compared statins with placebo. Reported adverse effects were almost identical in placebo groups, indicating most listed side effects are not caused by statins. Only four out of 66 listed side effects showed any association, and only in a very small proportion: liver blood test changes, minor liver abnormalities, urine changes and tissue swelling. Serious liver disease and common muscle damage are rare. Statins can rarely raise blood sugar and may precipitate diabetes in susceptible individuals. Pack leaflets should be revised to reflect safety.
Read at www.bbc.com
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