Question 31 of 433
Are statins safe? I have heard frightening things.
The short answer
Statins are among the most studied drugs in history. For people who need them, the benefit is large and serious harm is rare.
Let me be direct about the common fears.
Muscle aches: real, but less common than believed. In trials where patients did not know whether they were taking the statin or a dummy pill, most of the muscle symptoms occurred on the dummy pill too. If you do have aches, a different statin or a lower dose usually solves it.
Diabetes: statins raise blood sugar slightly. In people already close to diabetes, they can tip the diagnosis a little earlier. The heart protection far outweighs it.
Memory: large trials have not shown that statins cause dementia. If anything, people on statins have slightly less.
Liver: serious injury is very rare.
And if you truly cannot take a statin, we now have good alternatives: ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, and PCSK9 medicines, now available as injections or a daily pill.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
ROBUST HUMAN TRIALS — Adults with an indication: statin cardiovascular benefit and adverse effects, not a guarantee of no harm.Evidence grade (draft mapping)ARobust human trialsPart 3, Q31 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.