For most people, a moderate intake of alcohol is unlikely to cause problems with
statins. Consuming alcohol in large quantities, however, may not be safe when taking statin medications. Statins may also not be safe for people with long-term alcohol problems.
People with liver disease cannot metabolize statins as well as normal. This leads to abnormally high levels of medication in the blood, which increases the risk of
statin side effects. As a result, individuals who currently have liver disease (including alcoholic liver diseases, such as
cirrhosis) should not take statins. People who drink large amounts of alcohol or people with a history of liver problems should use this medication with caution, and may require close monitoring to make sure problems do not occur.
You should talk with your healthcare provider about combining alcohol and statins. You and your healthcare provider understand your situation best. Based on what you want and expect, as well as your current health situation, the two of you can make a shared decision about your intake of alcohol while on statin medications. Keep in mind that there may be other medical reasons why you should not consume alcohol.
