Statins are the most prescribed
cholesterol medicine. The major effect of statins is to lower
LDL ("
bad cholesterol") levels. They lower LDL cholesterol more than other types of medications. The large reductions in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol produced by these drugs have resulted in large reductions in
heart attacks and
heart disease-related deaths.
Statins inhibit an enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. These medicines
reduce cholesterol by slowing down the production of cholesterol and by increasing the liver's ability to remove the LDL cholesterol already in the blood.
Researchers studying statins have reported 20 percent to 60 percent lower LDL
cholesterol levels in people on these cholesterol medicines. Statins also reduce elevated
triglyceride levels and produce a modest increase in
HDL cholesterol.
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 four to six weeks. After about six to eight weeks, your doctor can do the first check of your LDL cholesterol while on this medicine. 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 should be changed to help you meet your goal.
Most people tolerate statins well, and serious side effects are rare. The side effects usually are mild to moderate in severity and generally go away as your body adjusts. A few people will experience:
- Upset stomach
- Gas
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain) or cramps.
In rare cases, a person 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 these symptoms develop, or if you have brown urine, contact your doctor right away to get blood tests for possible muscle problems.
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