Are statins really wonder drugs?

Abstract

Statins [3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase], are wonder drugs that have reshaped the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and associated cardiovascular diseases. However, evidence from various studies indicates existence of many statin-induced side effects such as myopathies, rhabdomyolysis, hepatotoxicity, peripheral neuropathy, impaired myocardial contractility, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and erectile dysfunction (ED). Physician awareness of these side effects is reported to be very low even for the adverse effects (AEs) most widely reported by patients. This can lead to incorrect treatment decisions, compromised patient care, and an increase in patient morbidity. Therefore, the aim of this article is to highlight the AEs of statin therapy as well as rational management of these complications to further improve safety of these excellent drugs.

Atorvastatin alters the expression of genes related to bile acid metabolism and circadian clock in livers of mice

“…Statins are the primary drugs clinically used to treat hyperlipidemia (Grover, Luthra & Maroo, 2014; Kalantari & Naghipour, 2014). As the number of hypercholesterolemic patients increases, statins, which are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, become more important.…”

“…As the number of hypercholesterolemic patients increases, statins, which are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, become more important. Statins are generally safe in clinical use (Kalantari & Naghipour, 2014), but there are few adverse drug reaction reports that are associated with statins, such as hepatotoxicity (Bjornsson, Jacobsen & Kalaitzakis, 2012; Bjornsson, 2015; Grover, Luthra & Maroo, 2014; Kalantari & Naghipour, 2014). …”

Glycemic effects of simvastatin: Where do we stand?

“…Statins or 3-hydroxyl-3 methylglutaryl co-enzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors are used worldwide to treat dyslipidemia and also as part of the management of patients who have high risk of developing or established cardiovascular events resulting from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or hypertension (Grover, Luthra, Maroo, 2014;Perreault et al, 2009). T2DM patients have a twoto four-fold increase in risk of cardiovascular disease as compared to the general population (Colhoun et al, 2004).…”

Peer Review #1 of "Atorvastatin alters the expression of genes related to bile acid metabolism and circadian clock in livers of mice (v0.1)"

“…Statins are the primary drugs clinically used to treat hyperlipidemia (Grover et al 2014;Kalantari & Naghipour 2014). As the number of hypercholesterolemic patients increases, statins, which are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, become more important.…”

“…As the number of hypercholesterolemic patients increases, statins, which are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, become more important. Statins are generally safe in clinical use (Kalantari & Naghipour 2014), but there are few adverse drug reaction reports that are associated with statins, such as hepatotoxicity (Bjornsson et al 2012;Bjornsson 2015;Grover et al 2014; Kalantari & Naghipour 2014).…”