Benefits And Side Effects Of Statin Drugs

A Statin, a cholesterol-lowering medicine or cholesterolsynthese inhibitor (which also seems to have an anti-inflammatory effect) that intervenes on the synthesis of cholesterol by the rate limiting step (HMG-CoA reductase) in the production of cholesterol to brake. A Statin is prescribed (indication) in case of increasedcholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), diabetes (diabetes mellitus) and prevention of heart disease. This family of drugs is generally well tolerated by the patient and issimple to administer.

Side Effects

Frequently reported side effects include gastrointestinal upset, skin rash,dizziness, itching and headaches. Other side effects are also possible.

In practice, muscle complaints common and seem to be genetic, possibly by amutation in one of the genes that codes for the biosynthesis of the cell importantfor the energy supply of the Coenzyme Q10. These complaints range from a benign muscle pain or joint pain to myositis with a more than 10-fold increase of the concentration in the serum creatine kinase (CK), which is an indication ofincreased muscle breakdown. Also the heart muscle works less well atstatinegebruikers. The incidence of muscle pain and pain after use of Statinsranges from 1 to 7%, while severe myopathy occurs in 0.5% of patients. Life-threatening rhabdomyolysis with myoglobinuria and muscle necrosis and subsequent electrolyte changes, kidney failure occurs extremely rarely (about 1 in100,000 users). Cerivastatin, that if any from the group resulted in a significantlyhigher risk, is taken from the market for this reason. Rhabdomyolysis can occur in susceptible persons and during concomitant use of other means which preventthe breakdown of a Statin, for example through the biotransformation by theCYP3A4 enzyme system, such as Cyclosporine, macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), antifungal agents (including itraconazole and ketoconazole), Nicotinic Acid (and derivatives) and Fibrates.

In addition, Statins increase the risk of diabetes in slight degree (9%), as thedosage is higher, takes this risk further. Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease, who take Statins to bring combat. In most cases however, thecardiovascular benefits would outweigh the increased risk of diabetes. In post-menopausal women, however, the additional risk of diabetes by statinegebruik isconsiderably higher, 71%.

Statinegebruikers have a 57% increased risk of age-related cataract, this is a riskincrease as diabetes gives about as strong.

About 1 to 5% of patients cease the use of Statins because of the occurrence of side-effects.

Indication in diabetes and heart attack

Statin drugs are registered with the following indications:

hypercholesterolemia
hypertriglyceridemia
combined Hyperlipidemia, characterized by both hypercholesterolemia ashypertriglyceridemia, if diet and other measures alone are not enough.

Atorvastatin, Pravastatin and simvastatin are also registered for the prevention ofcardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Fluvastatin is only registered for theprevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients undergoingpercutaneous Angioplasty with or without stent placement are undergoing.Rosuvastatin is not registered for the prophylactic treatment.

Radar

An item in the consumer program Radar TROS is a lot of unrest in mid-2007 caused some users of these drugs. In the program, a number of side effects was brought up. In addition, a conflict of interest has been suggested between the pharmaceutical companies and prescribing physicians. Doctors working in cardiovascular disease and diabetes treatment said to have been with this show since giving statins one of the most effective ways would be to avoid using "only" about 30 to 50 people have to be heart attack and stroke very unhappy treated (NNT) to prevent a serious side effect while only about 1 in 100,000 people would be taken. rhabdomyolysis as at that time one of those people one serious illness episode within 5 years

In previous broadcasts TROS Radar was claimed that no evidence that high cholesterol is bad for health. In the broadcast of January 2008 it was stated that in the group of people who have a heart attack or stroke have had in all women and men over 70 years hardly any positive effect is demonstrated by the use of statins. All this is also supported by scientific research.

New Articles