What Are Statins?

Statins are a class of prescription drugs that reduce cholesterol in the blood and help keep plaque from building up in the arteries. These medicines can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), heart attack, and stroke. Statins are available only by prescription, and brands include Lipitor, Crestor, and Zocor.

Statins are cholesterol-lowering medicines that:

• Reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol
• Raise levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) “good” cholesterol
• Lower levels of triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood
• Help prevent CVD, including heart disease, and its complications.

• Coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in the arteries
• Some inherited conditions that lead to high cholesterol or high triglyceride levels

Healthcare providers can also prescribe statins off-label for some conditions. Off-label means they don’t have FDA approval specifically for these uses, but research suggests they may be safe and effective.

• Metabolic dysfunction–associated liver disease (MASLD), previously known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• Cardiac allograft vasculopathy, when blood vessels narrow after a heart transplant
• Prevention of kidney damage from using a contrast dye, for instance, during an imaging test

Who Needs Statins?

• Is 40 to 75 years old
• Has one or more risk factors for CVD, such as obesity or a family history of heart disease
• Has a 7.5 to 10 percent risk of developing CVD within the next 10 years

If your risk of CVD is over 10 percent, statins may not lower your risk enough. In that case, your healthcare provider may recommend other treatment options, including different types of medication, lifestyle changes, and medical procedures.

• atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• rosuvastatin (Crestor)
• fluvastatin (Lescol)
• lovastatin (Mevacor)
• pitavastatin (Livalo)
• pravastatin (Pravachol)
• simvastatin (Zocor)

If the statin you’re taking isn’t improving your cholesterol levels or you have unpleasant side effects, speak to your healthcare provider. They may change your prescription or the dose.

Statins can help:

• Remove LDL cholesterol from the blood
• Increase HDL cholesterol levels
• Decrease the buildup of plaque on artery walls
• Reduce swelling in the artery walls
• Stop plaque from breaking up and traveling to other parts of the body, where it could block the blood flow to the heart, brain, or lungs, as in pulmonary embolism
• Reduce the risk of blood clots

• Muscle weakness or tenderness
• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Weakness
• Gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, diarrhea, or nausea
• Joint pain
• Sleep problems
• A low platelet count, which could increase the risk of infections

Less commonly, statin use can lead to:

• Vomiting
• Memory loss
• Hair loss
• Tingling
• Inflammation of the liver or pancreas
• Acne
• An itchy rash
• Low libido or erectile dysfunction
• Rhabdomyolysis, a serious skeletal muscle disease
• Muscle weakness, known as myopathy
• Tendon problems

It’s important not to stop taking statins without speaking with the person who prescribed them to you. If you’re experiencing unwanted symptoms, your healthcare provider may suggest a different medication. Heart health experts believe that, overall, it’s safer to take statins than not if you have a high risk of stroke or cardiovascular disease.

Liver and Kidney Problems

Statins can cause liver and kidney damage, but the reasons aren’t well understood. If you have problems with either of those organs, your health may need to be monitored while using statins. If the medications are causing any issues, your healthcare provider may need to change the type of statin you take or the dose.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you’re expecting a child, your doctor will likely recommend avoiding statins because of the potential risk to the unborn baby. But it’s possible they may be prescribed if you’re at high risk for cardiovascular problems. If you’re breastfeeding, you may be prescribed an alternative medication, since statins may interfere with an infant’s metabolism.

Diabetes

Experts call this a slight risk. For those prone to cardiovascular problems, the benefits gained from using statins outweigh the risk of developing diabetes when using them. Lifestyle measures, such as diet and exercise, can help manage and prevent both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Drug Interactions

Some statins interact with other medications. For instance, you won’t be able to take simvastatin or pravastatin with gemfibrozil (Lopid), another drug for reducing cholesterol.

Always make sure your healthcare provider knows all the medications you take, including natural remedies, as some interactions can increase the risk of adverse effects.

Statins are prescription drugs that lower cholesterol levels and help prevent cardiovascular events such as a stroke or heart attack. Statins can cause side effects, but those may go away once your body adjusts to being on the medicine. If you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels — or about statins you’re already taking — speak with your healthcare provider.