Statins: How the drug prevents heart attacks and strokes
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The NHS issued a warning to people taking statins – a damaged liver can lead to “serious side effects”. Each time the liver processes alcohol, liver cells die. If you’re drinking more than 14 units weekly, you could develop rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis occurs when dead muscle fibres release their contents into the bloodstream, explained WebMD. This can lead to kidney failure, meaning the organ can’t remove waste from the body, is fexofenadine an antibiotic which can be fatal.
The classic triad of rhabdomyolysis symptoms are:
- Muscle pain in the shoulders, thighs, or lower back
- Muscle weakness or trouble moving arms and legs
- Dark red or brown urine, or decreased urination
Other “common signs” of rhabdomyolysis include:
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever, rapid heart rate
- Confusion, dehydration, fever, or lack of consciousness
Regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol weekly puts your life at risk.
However, any less than 14 units weekly may be permissible if your GP says it’s OK.
Another beverage to be cautious of if taking statins to treat high cholesterol is grapefruit juice.
Drinking grapefruit juice can interact with statins and cause unpleasant side effects.
“A doctor may advise you to avoid it completely or only consume small quantities,” said the NHS.
“Common” side effects include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Feeling sick
- Feeling unusually tired or physically weak
Digestive system problems, such as constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion or Farting
- Muscle pain
- Sleep problems
- Low blood platelet count
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Although less common, other side effects of statins might include being sick, memory problems, hair loss, and pins and needles.
Other possible after-effects include flu-like symptoms, which could be indicative of hepatitis – i.e. inflammation of the liver.
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) can lead to stomach pain, and skin issues might appear such as acne or an itchy red rash.
There may also be issues with libido, which may nosedive, and erectile dysfunction could occur.
Do speak to your GP if you are experiencing ongoing side effects from taking statins.
The dose or brand of statin might be altered to reduce unwelcome side effects.
Any muscle pain, tenderness or weakness will be further investigated by a blood test.
The blood sample will be examined for creatine kinase (CK), a substance that is released into the bloodstream when muscles are inflamed.
Regular exercise can also lead to an increase in creatine kinase in the blood, so do inform your GP if you’ve been working out a lot recently.
If there are high levels of creatine kinase in the blood, you may be advised to stop taking the medication.
Aside from drinking alcohol or grapefruit, there are other factors that can greatly increase your risk of side effects.
Risk factors include:
- Being over 70 years old
- Having a history of liver disease
- Having a history of muscle-related side effects when taking a statin or Fibrate (another type of medicine for high cholesterol)
- Having a family history of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis
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