Scared of the Side Effects of Statin Drugs? New Study Shows Many Fears Are Myths
Worried about memory loss or depression from statins? Doctors reveal which side effects are real—and which aren’t
If you’ve avoided taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs because you’re worried about the risk of developing memory loss, depression or other scary side effects, this scenario plays out more often than you might think. According to US Pharmacist, 34 percent of patients who were offered statins but declined cited fear of side effects as a major reason. But a groundbreaking new study reveals that many of the most-feared statin side effects may not actually be caused by the medication at all. That’s right—the concerns that have kept countless people from protecting their heart health might be based on misconceptions, not medical reality. We spoke to leading doctors to separate statin fact from fiction.
What are statins?
“Statins are prescription medications that lower cholesterol in the blood,” says Shannon Chatham, DO, a board-certified family medicine physician and Medical Director at Wisp. “They work by blocking an enzyme in the liver that helps produce cholesterol. By lowering ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol, statins help protect the heart and blood vessels. They are among the most widely studied and commonly prescribed medications for cardiovascular health.”
Dr. Chatham says they are often recommended for people who:
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- Have had a heart attack or stroke
- Have significantly elevated cholesterol
- Have diabetes
- Have a higher chance of developing heart disease or stroke within the next 10 years, something doctors estimate using factors like age, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, family history and smoking history
Doctors may recommend that people taking statins use extra caution or be monitored more closely monitoring if they:
- Have a history of muscle problems
- Take medications that could interact with statins
- Have advanced liver disease. “Even in this setting, statins can be used at lower doses with close monitoring if need be,” adds Brett Nowlan, MD, Cardiologist at Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute.
New research on unfounded side effects of statin drugs
If fear of side effects is the only thing holding you back from trying statin drugs, this new research might put your mind at ease. A major study published in The Lancet looked at data from more than 150,000 people to finally answer the question: Which statin side effects are real, and which ones have we been worrying about unnecessarily?
The findings are reassuring.“This large analysis of randomized clinical trials found that symptoms such as memory problems, depression, sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction, nerve damage, lung disease and kidney disease occurred at similar rates in people taking placebo pills,” says Dr. Chatham. “In other words, these symptoms were unlikely to be caused by statins. The findings reinforce that statins may be safer than many people assume.”
So why have statins gotten such a bad rap for side effects they don’t seem to cause? “Observational data can overestimate associations,” explains Jack Wolfson, DO, cardiologist and founder of Natural Heart Doctor. “Aging populations naturally develop memory changes, diabetes [and] neuropathy. [But] once a drug is labeled as ‘dangerous,’ confirmation bias spreads. The Lancet paper reminds us that correlation is not causation, but we also must not ignore biological plausibility.”
5 statin side effects you may still experience
The good news is that the serious side effects above were not linked to statins. But like most medications, statins still have the potential to cause some unwanted side effects. Dr. Chatham explains which ones the study found may occur and what to do about them.
Muscle aches
“Statins can cause muscle symptoms as they occasionally interfere with energy production in muscle cells, leading to soreness or weakness, though this is relatively uncommon and usually mild,” says Dr. Chatham.
What to do: Dr. Chatham recommends staying hydrated and prioritizing movement (simply walking counts) and keeping note of new muscle weakness or pain to tell your doctor.
Increased diabetes risk
“Statins slightly affect how your body processes sugar and responds to insulin, which can increase blood glucose levels in some people, particularly those already at risk for diabetes,” says Dr. Chatham.
What to do: Limit refined carbs and added sugars and prioritize exercise and balanced eating to maintain a healthy weight, says Dr. Chatham. “If you have a blood glucose monitor at home, track your levels periodically,” she adds.
Liver enzyme changes
“Since statins work in the liver to reduce cholesterol production, they can sometimes cause temporary elevations in liver enzymes,” says Dr. Chatham.
What to do: Maintain a healthy weight, avoid excessive alcohol consumption and keep up with routine blood work so your doctor can monitor your liver health, Dr. Chatham advises.
Swelling in the ankles or legs
“Some statins may cause mild fluid retention, leading to swelling in the legs or ankles, though the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood,” says Dr. Chatham.
What to do: She recommends elevating your legs while you’re resting, lowering your salt intake and letting your doctor know if the swelling in your legs or ankles gets worse.
Urine protein changes
“Statins may affect kidney filtration slightly, leading to small amounts of protein in the urine, though clinically significant kidney problems are rare,” says Dr, Chatham.
What to do: A lab urine test would detect any protein changes, and they typically wouldn’t cause noticeable symptoms unless levels became more significant. Still, Dr. Chatham recommends staying hydrated and monitoring your urine with your doctor.
And managing some of these side effects may be as simple as working with your doctor to switch up your dosage until you find what works best for you. Dr. Wolfson adds statin therapy can sometimes be adjusted by switching to a different statin, using alternate-day dosing, supporting your cells’ energy production with a CoQ10 supplement, lowering the statin dose or combining a lower dose with lifestyle changes.
The bottom line on statin side effects
We know that even when a medication could transform your health, potential side effects can feel scary. But here’s what this research really means: Many of the fears that have kept people from protecting their heart health may not be based in reality. Yes, statins can have some side effects, but they’re often manageable. And now that you know which concerns are real and which aren’t, you can have a more informed conversation with your doctor about what’s right for you.
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