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Those suffering from high cholesterol will commonly be prescribed a statin, which is a cholesterol lowering drug. Statins work by inhibiting an enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase, which is required to synthesise cholesterol in the liver. The overall effect of statins such as atorvastatin, fluvastatin and simvastatin is to decrease your total blood cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels whilst slightly increasing your protective cholesterol, HDL.

However like many drugs the use of statins can bring unwanted side effects, which tend to increase as the dose increases. Common side effects include gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal bloating and gas, which vary between patients, drugs and dosage. Unfortunately this is not the end of the list of side effects as statins can interact with a variety of organs and affect a number of bodily functions.

Statins are not entirely specific to inhibiting cholesterol production and also inhibit the production of COQ10, which is a coenzyme involved in cellular respiration needed to produce energy. It comes as no surprise then that many people who take statins will have a reduced concentration of this coenzyme and as a result will suffer from fatigue.

Muscle weakness and breakdown also occurs with people on statins, and for long term statin use it is important to monitor your muscle enzyme levels for any signs of breakdown. This muscle breakdown is known as rhabdomyolysis and can affect how people carry out their daily activities. A common sign of rhabdomylolysis is dark coloured urine which results due to muscle breakdown.

If you are a sufferer of extreme headaches or migraines the consumption of statins may cause you to experience more of these, which are likely to be more painful than normal. Liver damage is also another serious side effect of statin consumption and for this reason anyone taking statins must get their liver function monitored every 6 weeks for signs of early damage.

Statins are not for everyone and you must avoid taking them if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a history of liver disease. Be sure to also avoid grapefruits and grapefruit juice, as the chemicals in the grapefruit inhibit the breakdown of statins, causing them to be present in a raised concentration in your bloodstream increasing the risk of serious side effects.

Statins are a group of drugs that are effective at lowering cholesterol levels reducing your risk of heart disease, but they do come with several side effects and the consumption of some food and drinks must be avoided. For many the benefit of taking a stain outweigh the risk of side effects however if you are prescribed a statin make sure you discuss the contraindications of the drug before commencing your treatment.

Learn more about this author, Marie Bywater.
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