Ten Percent Statin Users Experience Muscle Spasm

Statins, the drug used for lowering cholesterol is said to have side effects and a recent study has proved it with a solution as well. Initially, claims like muscle spasms reported by those using the drug were ignored by the medical community.

Dr. Steven Nissen, lead researcher of the Cleveland Clinic study said, "We've confirmed that this is a problem and it's real and we've given them an alternative," he said.

Dr. Nissen said problems including muscle pain and weakness affect up to 10 percent of people on statins or three to four million Americans.

The study looked at more than 500 patients who reported side effects. The patients in the study were given a statin or a sugar pill. About 42 percent who took a statin experienced muscle pain or weakness.

Another testing with non-statin, cholesterol lowering drugs was done. One was an oral drug, the other, an injectable. Both worked, however, the injectable had better results.

"Patients who got one of the new injectable cholesterol lowering drugs had a 52 to 54 percent reduction in the levels of their bad cholesterol. A very big reduction," said Dr. Nissen.

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Dr. Nissen estimates about 36 million people in the U.S. rely on statins. So far, two injectable non-statins have been approved by the FDA. But the alternative drug costs nearly $14,000 a year compared the statins which costs a few hundred dollars.

Source-Medindia