Statin Drugs
The Food and Drug Administration announced in February that two new side effects-an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and potential memory problems-would be added to labels on statins, the cholesterol-lowering drugs. They include atorvastatin (Lipitor and generic), lovastatin (Mevacor and generic), and simvastatin (Zocor and generic).
The type 2 diabetes risk is based on a review of several clinical studies that found an increased risk of elevated blood sugar levels and diabetes among people taking statins compared with those taking a placebo. In one of those studies, the large-scale Jupiter trial, investigators reported a rate of type 2 diabetes in men and women taking rosuvastatin (Crestor) that was roughly one-quarter higher than those in the placebo group.
The other warning is based on rare reports the FDA received about people developing memory loss or impairment while taking a statin. The Problems generally occurred in people older than 50 and disappeared when the stopped taking the drug. The FDA also said it was removing from statin labels a recommendation that patients who take them have their liver function tested periodically. It cited a lack of evidence that routine monitoring helped detect or prevent serious liver injuries. (People should still have their liver enzymes checked before starting a statin).
The new warnings underscore our advice to try lowering high cholesterol with lifestyle changes first, such as a healthy diet and exercise, before taking medication. Even when a drug is needed, those lifestyle changes might help to reduce your dose or minimize any side effects.
Source: "New Warnings On Statin Drugs." Consumer Reports on Health (June 2012), p. 3.
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