Statins are a group of drugs that are lipid-lowering agents, lowering the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood. Statins function by targeting the synthesis of cholesterol and the rate of assembly and secretion of cholesterol-containing particles. Most patients who take statins see lower lipid levels in one to two weeks. Satins must be taken every day and are most beneficial when taken on a long-term basis with most people taking them their entire lives. It has become a practice to prescribe statins to healthy people who have a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease as well as people who have suffered a heart attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease, or diabetes.
Statins and Diabetes – Side Effects
Side effects include muscle pain and damage in the case of rhabdomyolysis, which causes liver damage, kidney failure, and death. Liver damage can also occur when statin causes the liver to produce excess enzymes or when statins are used with other cholesterol-lowering drugs. Liver function should be tested about every six weeks for a year after patients start taking statins.
Digestive problems such as diarrhea, nausea, gas, or constipation may occur.
Rash has been reported in people who also take niacin. Interestingly, grapefruits and grapefruit juice should be avoided when taking statins. According to the Mayo Clinic risk factors for developing side effects from statins include: taking more than one cholesterol medications, being female, having a smaller frame, being 65 or older, having kidney or liver disease, being diabetic.
Statin also has several drug interactions including: Zocor, Cordarone, Lopid, some antibiotic and antifungal medications, some antidepressant medicines as well as immunosuppressant medications.
Statin and Diabetes – Pros and Cons
Researches have begun to look into statins and diabetes risks, weighing the benefits and increased risk factors. The “Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial” looked at 360,000 middle-aged American men finding that a 1.0 mmol/L lower stable level of total cholesterol resulted in a 50% reduced risk of coronary disease. For diabetic men in the risk was three to five times greater than non-diabetics for each additional increase in stable level.
A Harvard University study released in January 2012 and led by Dr. Yunsheng Ma, researched statin use in postmenopausal women. Researchers found that stain use by this group significantly increased the risk of developing diabetes. The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) reported a 48% increase in the risk of diabetes in women taking lipid-lowering medications. In two UK studies from 2010 and 2011 researchers examined meta data, finding that lipid-lowering drugs increased the risk of diabetes with one study reporting a 9% increase. Of particular risk are white (49%), Latino (57%), and Asian (78%) women.
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