Statins exert their effects on the body by interfering with the process that produces cholesterol. This section looks at adverse effects (side-effects) that statins are known to cause and classifies them into broad groups. A deeper analysis of the effects of statins can be found on the page, here, that takes a brief look the scientific evidence and references the academic medical publications that have been accepted by the medical community.
Statins act early within the metabolic pathway (the Mevalonate Pathway) that is responsible for the production of Cholesterol. The inhibition of cholesterol production also inhibits the production and regulation of the products created in this pathway, that are vital to human life. This is the main reason for so many reported disturbances of normal function.
In general terms cholesterol lowering medications are responsible for adverse effects that can be grouped under the following categories. (every term is followed by a simplified definition in italics)
1. Myopathies
This word means: diseases of muscle tissue. This group of effects include anything you feel that affects your muscles. This can range from feeling of weakness in a muscle all the way through to the destruction of muscle tissue. It appears to be a common complaint among people who take statins for any period of time.
2. Neuropathies
This word means: diseases of the nervous system. This group of effects includes any alteration in sensation and is described as numbness, itching or burning sensations that do not seem to go away. It appears that numerous people have complained about disturbances of sensation.
3. Carcinogenic
This word means: 'cancer causing' or tending to cause cancer. This important group of adverse effects are related to the appearance of cancers in patients taking statins.
4. Physical
This word means: concerning the body. For example, muscle weakness and general tiredness are two commonly reported physical effects of taking statins.
5. Behavioural
This word means: concerning behaviour. This effect includes a tendency to be angry or violent, which has been reported in patients who are taking statins.
6. Cognition
This word means: our appreciation of the world around as perceived through our senses. Statins have been implicated in a devastating memory loss and unclear thoughts. They have also been associated with depression, suicide, irritability and mood changes.
7. Functional
This word means: Affecting the operation of an organ or structure. Headaches, joint pains, sleep disturbances and sexual dysfunction are some of the functional effects that can appear with statin use.
The Myopathies represent an important group of adverse effects that follow statin administration. The reasons for the importance are easy to understand when you realise that muscles help us to live our daily lives. Muscles can get us up from a chair or help us to lift or carry things.
Muscles hold the body in a state of readiness to move, known as 'muscle tone' so that we can react quickly to dangerous situations. If our muscles are sore when we move them, or if they feel tender to the touch, it is likely that our movements and our everyday functions will be restricted. When our muscles are painful to move this restriction on our movements is also present.
It appears that all statins are capable of inducing myopathies that can be experienced as a mild ache. More seriously, there is often damage to the muscle tissue and this can release toxins (poisons which are the end-products of muscle damage) into the body that will contribute to the patient feeling unwell. Rhabdomyolysis (the destruction of muscle tissue) is a very rare but recognised complication that is so severe that it can damage the kidneys and cause death.
The medical profession are aware that myopathies are an adverse effect that is to be expected with statin therapies and some researchers have be able to show that the muscle damage has taken place, even where the blood results are normal. The blood is tested for the value of Creatine Kinase (an enzyme found in the muscle) that is found to be higher when there is muscle damage.
The research has begun to reveal who may be at risk of developing any of the myopathies that are induced by statins. This can be an important step in helping your medical advisor to understand you when you complain of a myopathy. Remember that once you have been prescribed a statin, it is generally supposed to be desirable to keep you medicated for life.
