What damage can atorvastatin cause?

summarized several forms of side effects attributed to the use of atorvastatin, including hepatocellular injury, cholestatic injury, mixed pattern of atorvastatin-associated hepatocellular and cholestatic injury, autoimmune-type reaction and fulminant liver failure [2].

What are the dangers of atorvastatin?

What are the long term side effects of atorvastatin?

Can statins cause permanent damage?

Often the only way to halt the effects of statins on your muscle cells is to stop taking the medications. Symptoms tend to disappear within 3 months after you stop taking statins, with no permanent damage in most cases. But a 2018 study suggests that in rare cases, some muscle damage isn't reversible.

Can atorvastatin damage your liver?

Statins may occasionally be associated with mild transaminase elevations but can also result in life-threatening liver injury. Atorvastatin is the most common cause of clinically significant liver injury in this drug class.

Statin Side Effects: Atorvastatin, Simvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Pravastatin [Pharmacology]

Is 20 mg of atorvastatin a lot?

The usual dose for adults is between 10mg and 80mg a day. Your dose depends on the reason why you're taking it, your cholesterol levels, and what other medicines you're taking.

What can I take instead of statins to lower cholesterol?

How do you know if you have muscle damage from statins?

Rhabdomyolysis or milder forms of muscle inflammation from statins can be diagnosed with a blood test measuring levels of the enzyme creatinine kinase. If you notice moderate or severe muscle aches after starting to take a statin, contact your doctor.

Which muscles are most affected by statins?

Within a month of starting statin therapy, they may feel aches or weakness in the large muscles of their arms, shoulders, thighs or buttocks on both sides of the body. About 5 to 10% of people who try statins are affected. It's more common in the elderly, in women and in those taking the more potent statins.

Can statin damage be reversed?

The majority of muscle damage by statins is secondary to its direct toxic effects, possibly via coenzyme Q10 depletion causing mitochondrial dysfunction. The injury is dose dependent and reversible after withdrawing the drug, with most recovery of symptoms occurring within 2–3 months (3).

How long should you be on atorvastatin?

The benefit of high-dose atorvastatin has been sustained for at least 5 years. Conclusion: After an ACS, high-dose atorvastatin should be continued for at least 5 years. High-dose atorvastatin demonstrated a reduction in coronary events but dose reductions and higher discontinuation rates were also noted.

Does atorvastatin affect the brain?

Statins have been linked to short-term reversible cognitive impairment since early safety and tolerability testing [13]. During a phase I clinical trial of atorvastatin, escalating doses showed a dose-dependent adverse reaction of mild, transient, restlessness, euphoria, and mental confusion [13].

Why would a doctor stop atorvastatin?

Dr. Carimi says muscle-related complications are the most common side effect from taking statins. “The most common reason people stop taking statins is because of side effects, like muscle aches, but many have muscle pains from other causes and stop taking the medication in error,” Dr. Carimi says.

Can you stop taking atorvastatin suddenly?

Is it dangerous to suddenly stop taking your statin? Yes. Suddenly stopping your statin is dangerous. Data shows that the risk of stroke, heart attack, and death within 4 years of stopping a statin is high.

Can you get off statins once you start?

Therefore, most people who begin taking a statin medication will likely take it for the rest of their lives. If you've been taking statins and would like to stop, you'll need to do so with your doctor's guidance. This is because it can be dangerous to stop taking statins.

What should I avoid when taking atorvastatin?

What organ do statins affect?

Statins work by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver and helping the liver remove cholesterol that is already in the blood. Statins may also reduce inflammation in the artery walls. This can lead to blockages that damage organs such as the heart and brain.

What are the two most common adverse effects of statins?

Side effects can vary between different statins, but common side effects include: headache. dizziness.

Is there a new drug to replace statins?

PCSK-9 inhibitors thus reduce cholesterol levels by maintaining higher levels of LDL receptors that remove cholesterol from the blood. Currently, PCSK-9 inhibitors are limited in use as they must be administered as shots. Further research into them could expand their use as an alternative to statins.

How do you fix statin muscle damage?

What do statins deplete your body of?

Numerous studies have shown that statin drug-use depletes the body of CoQ10, a nutrient vital for heart health and muscle strength because it is involved in ATP production in the cell. The muscle pains that many patients experience while on statins are a result of the body being depleted of CoQ10.

How long does it take for muscle weakness to go away after stopping statins?

Specifically, 57% of the patients (n = 25) reported resolution of muscle symptoms by 1 month, another 34% (n = 15) by 6 months, and 7% (n = 3) by 14 months after stopping statin use. The single patient with ongoing muscle pain chose to continue statin therapy because of the high risk of cardiovascular disease.

What is the first drug of choice for cholesterol?

Statins are the most common medicine for high cholesterol. They reduce the amount of cholesterol your body makes. You take a tablet once a day. You usually need to take them for life.

What is the mildest statin to take?

According to a research review people who take simvastatin (Zocor) or pravastatin (Pravachol) may experience fewer side effects.

What is the most gentle statin?

Which cholesterol-lowering drug is the safest? Overall, statins are safe as a class of drugs. Serious adverse events are very rare. Among the individual medications, studies have shown that simvastatin (Zocor^®) and pravastatin (Pravachol^®) seem to be safer and better tolerated than the other statins.