Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Linked to Injuries

You may be aware that cholesterol-lowering statin drugs are associated with muscle damage and pain. But even few doctors are aware that a study published in a major medical journal found statin drugs to be associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries. [1] This included an increased risk of dislocations, strains, and sprains. More specifically, researchers found that treatment with a statin was associated with a 19% increased risk of any type of musculoskeletal injury, a 13% increased risk of dislocations, strains, and sprains, and a 9% increased risk of musculoskeletal pain! [2] The study included 6,967 statin users and compared their symptoms to that of an equal amount of people who did not take statins. Most of the treatment group (73.5%) was taking simvastatin, also known as Zocor. There are many potential side effects associated with statin drugs. Examples include:

• Abdominal cramping and/or pain
• Bloating and/or gas
• Constipation
• Diabetes
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty sleeping
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Flushing of the skin
• Headache
• High blood sugar(Type 2 diabetes)
• Infection
• Kidney damage
• Liver damage
• Memory Loss
• Mental Confusion
• Muscle aches, tenderness, or weakness (myalgia)
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Rash

In case you are not aware of the common brand name statin drugs, I have listed them below:

• Advicor^�(niacin extended-release/lovastatin)
• Altoprev^�(lovastatin extended-release)
• Caduet^�(amlodipine and atorvastatin)
• Crestor^�(rosuvastatin)
• Juvisync^�(sitagliptin/simvastatin)
• Lescol^�(fluvastatin)
• Lescol XL(fluvastatin extended-release)
• Lipitor^�(atorvastatin)
• Livalo^�(pitavastatin)
• Mevacor^�(lovastatin)
• Pravachol^�(pravastatin)
• Simcor^�(niacin extended-release/simvastatin)
• Vytorin^�(ezetimibe/simvastatin)
• Zocor^�(simvastatin)

If you are on a statin drug and are looking for alternatives, then schedule a visit with one of the doctors at the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine.

[1] Mansi I, Frei CR, Pugh MJ, Makris U, Mortensen EM. Statins and musculoskeletal conditions, arthropathies, and injuries. JAMA Intern Med 2013; DOI:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.6184

[2] ibid