Every action has a reaction, and the chemical effects of medications are no different. Statins, a classification of cholesterol-lowering medications, have a history of causing side effects that range from mild to severe. If you are taking a statin to reduce your blood cholesterol levels, or are thinking of talking to your doctor about starting statin therapy, consider the following known dangers of statin drugs.

Gastrointestinal disturbances
The most common side effects of statins are common to many drugs. Nausea, upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and gas can vary from patient to patient.

Headache, dizziness, and sleep problems
Many of these symptoms disappear on their own as a patient gets used to taking a new medication.

Weakness
Statin users are at an increased risk of developing polyneuropathy, a neurological disorder which causes weakness, tingling and pain in the hands and feet, and difficulty walking. For patients taking a statin for several years, the chances of developing polyneuropathy increase dramatically to 26% and higher. Researchers are starting to question whether an increase in driving accidents in the elderly may be related to the use of statins, as many older statin users have reported driving mishaps related to misuse of the gas and brake pedals.

Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis is a serious side effect of statin use in which there is a rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. During the chemical necrosis of the muscles, the excretion of toxins into the body can cause kidney damage, disruptions in heart rhythm, and shock.

Acute pancreatitis
Some patients have developed severe pancreatic rot within weeks of starting a new statin therapy, or after several years of use. While the risk is increased for users of statins, developing it is still very rare.

Depression
One of the symptoms of having high cholesterol is that you feel good, and low cholesterol levels have been associated with depression and increased risk of suicide. Since statins reduce blood cholesterol levels, patients are more likely to be depressed and experience anxiety attacks.

Heart failure
The heart is a muscle, just like those in your legs and arms, and requires an enzyme called Co-Q10 to function. Co-Qu10 is used to convert food energy in our cells into energy for our body to use. Statins create a block in the Co-Q10 development process at the same point where they inhibit the liver's ability to produce cholesterol. Without Co-Q10, heart muscle cells aren't able to produce energy, and a weak heart pumps blood less effectively.

Several drugs and foods also interact with statins, causing severe side effects. Grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and some antibiotics inhibit the ability for statins to be metabolized, resulting in higher statin levels and increased risk of muscle damage. Taking anti-coagulants such as Coumadin or Warfarin with statins also increases the effectiveness of statins, which can speed damaging processes.

Being an informed patient is key to understanding how your medical therapies affect your health. Medications all come down to science at the cellular level, and understanding why medications can have such devastating effects on your body is important to understanding how to effectively, and safely, manage your health. Talk to your doctor about your concerns to see if switching medications may be an appropriate option.

Learn more about this author, Kimberly Dawn Wells.
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