Statins inhibit an enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. These cholesterol medications
lower cholesterol by slowing down the production of cholesterol and by increasing the liver's ability to remove the LDL cholesterol already in the blood.
Studies using statins have reported 20 percent to 60 percent lower LDL
cholesterol levels in patients on these cholesterol medications. Statins also reduce elevated
triglyceride levels and produce a modest increase in
HDL cholesterol.
The statins are usually administered in a single dose at the evening meal or at bedtime. It is important that these medications be taken in the evening, because the body makes more cholesterol at night than it does during the day.
You should begin to see results from the statins after several weeks, with a maximum effect in 4 to 6 weeks. After about 6 to 8 weeks, your doctor can do the first check of your LDL cholesterol while on the medication. A second measurement of your LDL
cholesterol level will have to be averaged with the first for your doctor to decide whether your dose of cholesterol medicine should be changed to help you meet your goal.
The statins are well tolerated by most patients, and serious
statin side effects are rare. The side effects of statins usually are mild to moderate in severity and generally go away as your body adjusts. A few patients will experience:
In rare cases, a patient will develop abnormalities in blood tests of the liver. Another rare side effect of statins is muscle problems, the symptoms of which are muscle soreness, pain, and weakness. If you experience these symptoms, or if you have brown urine, contact your doctor right away to get blood tests for possible muscle problems.
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