'Unintended' statin side-effect risks uncovered

[dipsydoodle]

GPs should think more carefully about prescribing cholesterol-busting drugs say researchers who highlighted a range of "unintended" side effects.

Some doses and types of statins are linked with a greater risk of adverse effects, including liver problems and kidney failure, the UK research showed.

Doctors will have access to a computer program based on the findings to help spot those most at risk.

Millions of UK adults take the drugs to reduce heart attack and stroke risk.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8695102.stm

[Kolesar]

1. Try daily slow release Niacin vitamin supplements

It raises the good cholesterol and hence lower the bad cholesterol. It is worth a try.

[BuddhaGirl]

2. yes, there are other methods of dealing with cholesterol

that are more natural, like changing one's diet, niacin, red yeast rice, etc.

[Kolesar]

4. red yeast rice had a naturallly occurring statin compound in it

The dosages were not controlled, so now there is red yeast rice in the stores that has had the statin compound removed entirely.

My nurse friend said to eat oatmeal daily and take 1000mg niacin daily. My cholesterol dropped 30 points in my next blood test. yay

[Warpy]

3. While statins are lifesavers for one population I know of

and that is people with genetically predetermined high cholesterol.

The drugs do carry significant risks and the jury is out on the risk versus benefit in giving them to people with normal or only slightly elevated cholesterol.