The Dangers of Statin Drugs

Your doctor may prescribe a class of medications called statins as a way to help lower your cholesterol. Although statins are effective for lowering cholesterol in most people, they may also cause serious side effects. According to the Mayo Clinic and the Food and Drug Administration, the dangers of statins include birth defects and liver damage.

Birth Defects

If you are a woman of childbearing age, taking statins while trying to conceive or during pregnancy may result in birth defects in your unborn baby.

Digestive Problems

Statins may cause you to develop digestive problems such as constipation or diarrhea and can be made worse by eating greasy or fatty foods.

Interactions

Statins may cause interactions if you drink grapefruit juice or eat the fruit, or if you take medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Kidney Damage

Taking statins may cause your muscles to release a chemical called myoglobin which can damage your kidneys and may lead to kidney failure.

Liver Damage

Liver damage may occur after taking statins even for just a short amount of time, especially if you take other types of cholesterol medications or if you drink alcohol.

Muscle Problems

If you take a high dose of statins, you may develop severe pain in your muscles, especially if you also take antifungal or antibiotic medicines.

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration--Statins