Statins
What they do
These drugs work by improving a patient’s cholesterol level and may also improve the function of the coronary arteries. They are frequently used in people with heart failure. The most common cause of heart failure is coronary artery disease, caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries due to a build-up of cholesterol (plaque). These drugs are very effective in preventing the development of plaques, which may eventually lead to a shortage of oxygen in your heart (ischaemia) or a heart attack.
Side effects
Muscle pain (myalgia) is a relatively common but significant side effect of statins. You should notify your doctor if you develop unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness. Your doctor will then be able to do a blood test, which will indicate if your symptoms are due to statin therapy. This side effect is reversible.
Top tips
Your doctor will probably want to monitor your cholesterol levels while you are taking a statin in order to decide which dose is the most appropriate. In addition, your doctor can alter your dose or switch the statin you are receiving if you experience muscle pain related to your statin therapy.
Also known as:
- Atorvastatin
(Lipitor®) - Fluvastatin
(Lescol®, Lescol XL®) - Pravastatin
(Lipostat®) - Rosuvastatin
(Crestor®) - Simvastatin
(Zocor®, Simvador®) - Combination products
(Inegy®)
