STATIN COMPLICATIONS
C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D.
Below is a list of possible complications. For many of these I think it is an oxymoron to call them “side effects”. Please note that MANY of these are quite serious and often are ignored when the patient complains of them. Several can lead to death! And many of them lead to long-standing disability!? Of course there is no such thing as a statin deficiency. And at the end I will list 10 SAFE alternatives!
Alopecia-hair loss
Alteration of taste
Anaphylaxis-severe shock!
Angioedema-allergic reaction
Anemia, hemolytic
Anorexia
Anxiety
Arthralgia-joint pains
Arthritis
Asthenia-generalized weakness and fatigue
Blood chemistry abnormalities– elevated transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, γ -glutamyl transpeptidase, and bilirubin; thyroid function abnormalities.
Cataracts
Chills
Cirrhosis
Cranial nerve paralysis, any or all cranial nerves
Depression
Dermatomyositis—inflammation of skin and muscle
Dizziness
Drug interference-many negative interactions with other drugs
Dyspnea-shortness of breath
Eosinophilia
Erythemia multiforma
Erectile dysfunction
Eye muscle paralysis
Facial palsy
Fever
Flushing
Generalized inflammation, including rheumatoid arthritis like syndrome
Gynecomastia-breast growth in men
Hepatitis
Insomnia
Jaundice
Leucopenia-loss of white blood cells
Libido loss
Liver necrosis—rapid liver death
Liver tumors
Lupus erythematosus-like syndrome-severe autoimmune disease
Memory loss—sometimes SEVERE!
Myalgia-muscle pain
Myopathy-muscle weakness or wasting, including heart muscle
Pancreatitis
Paresthesias-creepy, crawly and other sensory disturbances
Peripheral neuropathy-motor or sensory or both
Photosensitivity
Polymyalgia rheumatica-severe pain and inflammation of muscles throughout the body
Psychic disturbances
Pruritis—itching
Purpura
Rhabdomyolysis-destruction of muscle
Skin changes (e.g., nodules, discoloration, dryness of skin/mucous membranes, changes to hair/nails) have been reported
Steven-Johnson syndrome-death of epidermis-milder than toxic epidermal necrolysis
Thrombocytopenia-loss of platelets
Thyroid dysfunction
Toxic epidermal necrolysis—necrosis (death) of skin
Tremor
Urticaria
Vasculitis
Vertigo
Vomiting
I would not take a statin drug for a trillion dollars. I used to say billion but billions have become so trite these days!
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SAFE ALTERNATIVES
Beta sitosterol
Lecithin
Saw palmetto
Niacin, including flush-free (although you do have to watch liver enzymes)
L-arginine
L-taurine
Exercise
Deep relaxation daily
Policosanol
Pro-Argi9 Plus
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