Jul 6, 2009 7:50 pm US/Eastern
Health Watch: Statins May Cause Muscle Damage
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
With obesity rates at the highest levels in history, high cholesterol is more of a problem than ever. Medications called statins are the most commonly prescribed drugs to control cholesterol, but they are not without risks, and those risks may be more serious than previously thought.
Statins are among the most prescribed cholesterol drugs in the world. In fact, two statins – Lipitor and Zocor – are the top selling drugs of any kind in the United States. There's no doubt the drugs work either, as they not only lower cholesterol, but also the risk for a heart attack.
"The statin drugs seem to be one of the best medications and we have some of the best and most research on them," said Dr. Merle Myerson of St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital.
Now a new study, however, says a common side effect – muscle pain – may be worse than we actually thought and could lead to muscle damage. Researchers looked at muscle biopsies from patients with muscle pain who took statins. Many of them had significant muscle damage, and stopping the medication didn't reverse it.
By some estimates, 36 million Americans take a statin every day, and many of them may not realize they're having side effects. Some people mistake the muscle pain for arthritis or just usual aches and pains.
"Many times we'll tell the patient to stop taking the medicine for one week to see if the soreness goes away and that can help tell us if it's really the medication," said Dr. Myerson.
Heart disease remains the number one killer of Americans, and controlling cholesterol is the strongest weapon in the fight against it. Maintaining a health weight, sticking to a plant-based diet, and getting regular exercise can all help control high cholesterol. But they are not enough for everyone. Dr. Myerson, a cardiologist, says each patient needs to consider their options with the doctor.
"There's risks and benefits to using any medication," she said. "It is very important to lower your cholesterol and that's the benefit."
If you take a cholesterol medication and think you might be having a side effect, call your doctor right away. There is a simple blood test that can be done to pick up any muscle damage from the medication.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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