Salinas, CA Statins Have Very Few Side Effects

As new statin alternatives hit the market to treat high cholesterol, physicians and insurance companies are in a pickle. Statins have few side effects and yet millions of people are expected to ask to be switched to the new more expensive drugs which have recently been approved by the FDA. About 25 percent of those on statins complain of muscle pain, while others say they give them a hazy memory or cause sleep problems. Doctors say that their loyalty is to their patient and most will prescribe the new drugs if asked, although one doctor interviewed by The New York Times said the Internet is replete with horror stories about statins and this could be influencing people’s view of the traditional drugs. There is no objective test to tell real or imagined statin intolerance. However, there has been one large scale drug trial which showed no more cases of muscle pain in those taking statins than placebos. I think more of these tests need to be conducted.