I’m surprised that the FDA is considering approving the use of statins for people without high cholesterol. They’re taking a look at an advisory panel’s recommendation to approve the use of statins for people with normal cholesterol, but with other risk factors like high levels of C-reactive protein, believed to be a marker of inflammation.
The advisory panel recommended extended statin usage primarily based upon results from the Jupiter trial, which was funded by AstraZeneca — the people who make Crestor. Am I the only one who feels statins are so poplar mainly because there’s money to be made? Yes, I know that drug companies don’t have the same funding issues as other sources of research funding. And I’m aware of the research supporting statin usage to prevent heart attacks and strokes, but I’m not convinced the benefits outweigh the risks for everyone.
The potential price of taking statins
Most people who have considered the idea of taking a statin for high cholesterol know that the drugs aren’t risk free. They may lower cholesterol, but sometimes at the cost of some serious side effects. And now people with normal cholesterol might take statins too? I’m not a scientist, but it seems like we all need to take a deep breath and get a little less excited about these drugs. They aren’t vitamins, after all.
Some statin side effects impact quality of life. According to Mayo Clinic, muscle pain is the most common side effect reported. It can be tough to put up with muscle pain for the sake of lowering cholesterol if you’re otherwise heart healthy. Some people taking statins may also experience digestive issues. I tried a 40 mg Zocor generic and could barely move from the stomach cramps. Days later, I still felt like my stomach had been used as a punching bag.
In addition to the merely annoying side effects, statins can actually kill you. Rarely, muscle pain can signal a very serious and sometimes deadly side effect of statin use: rhabdomyolysis, muscle damage which may lead to kidney failure and liver damage. It’s this rare, but life-threatening side effect that makes me scratch my head at the thought of taking this serious drug if you don’t have to.
According to Mayo Clinic, you’re at greater risk of experiencing side effects from statin usage if you’re female, have a small body frame, suffer from type 1 ot type 2 diabetes, take multiple cholesterol-lowering medications, or if you’re age 65 or older.
Read more about this issue at CNN: FDA considers statin use for those with normal cholesterol.
Do you think the FDA should approve the use of statins for people without high cholesterol?
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Post from: Blisstree