Statins Side Effects
Statins are usually prescribed to individuals who have a high cholesterol level. Their main purpose is to improve the quality of life and decrease the chance of heart attacks and strokes. However, after a long term use of these drugs people may begin to notice numerous unpleasant Statins side effects.
Muscle Problems
It’s common for people who were prescribed this drug to eventually experience muscle pain. The symptoms closely resemble soreness and weakness brought on by fatigue, only in this case it does not go away. Levels of comfort vary depending on how active the person is in their everyday life.
Raised Liver Enzymes
The cholesterol-reducing effect of Statins can sometimes backfire and send the production of enzymes in your liver into overdrive. A mild increase is to be expected and should not be a cause for concern, but occasionally it may start to damage your liver. In these cases a doctor will either advise you to stop taking the medication or prescribe a different type of drug without Statins adverse effects.
Digestive Complications
Statins do not usually cause any problems with the digestive system in healthy individuals, but people with already existing conditions can experience a worsening of their symptoms. Some of the Statins side effects induced by those types of situations include:
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
It rarely ever happens, but knowing it can help you to correctly identify the source of the problem when you encounter it.
Diabetes
The increase of blood sugar brought on by Statins can sometimes spin out of control. If nothing is changed about the dosage in the time frame when these changes take place, the person can end up with type 2 diabetes.
Albeit very unlikely, this risk is real and has been reported by a number of patients. Avoid it by taking these drugs responsibly, monitoring yourself for possible adverse effects of Statins and regularly consulting a doctor.
Confusion and Memory Loss
There has been some research that studied the connection between excessive use of Statins and conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. While it’s impossible to arrive at such a dire result independently from any other harmful factors, you should probably consider taking your Statin dosage down a notch every time you experience unusual confusion or memory loss. These side effects are reversible and you will feel better a few days after taking less of the drugs.
Risk Factors
According to medical studies, the following groups of people are more likely to develop Statins side effects:
- Seniors.
- Patients who take several different drugs at once.
- Type 1 and 2 diabetes sufferers.
- Individuals with liver or kidney conditions.
- People with a smaller body frame.
- Women.
Consult a Doctor
Being aware of all these possibilities can be helpful when managing the use of medication at home, but it can’t replace the advice given by a qualified medical professional. If you’re having doubts about suspected Statins side effects, make sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor.