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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