This is an automatically translated article.
Article by Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital
Of all the cholesterol-lowering drugs, statins are the most widely used. The advantage of these drugs is that there are no side effects. However, for people who occasionally (or regularly) drink alcohol, the side effects and risks can be different.
1. What are Statins?
Statins are a group of drugs that reduce cholesterol in people with high cholesterol. According to the National Centers for Health Statistics, 93% of adults in the US required a cholesterol medication called a statin in 2012. Statins interfere with the body's production of cholesterol and help reduce low-density lipoprotein or cholester.
2. Side effects of statins
All prescription drugs have side effects or risk of side effects. With statins, the long list of possible side effects includes:
Hepatitis: Sometimes statin use can affect the health of the liver. Although rare, statins can increase liver enzyme production. Several years ago, the FDA recommended routine enzyme testing for patients taking statins. However, because the risk of liver damage is so rare, this is no longer the case. Muscle pain: The most common side effects of statin use are muscle pain and inflammation. Generally, this feeling resembles aching or weakness in the muscles. In severe cases, it can lead to rhabdomyolysis (a life-threatening condition that can cause liver damage, kidney failure, or death). According to statistics, up to 30% of people experience muscle pain when using statins. However, nearly all found that when they switched to a different statin, their symptoms went away. Other side effects: Digestive problems, rash, flushing, poor blood sugar management, memory and confusion... are other side effects of statins that have been reported.
Tác dụng phụ phổ biến nhất của việc sử dụng statin là đau cơ và viêm
3. Should you drink alcohol while taking statins?
Overall, there are no specific health risks associated with drinking with statins. In other words, alcohol won't interfere or react with statins in your body right away. However, people who are heavy drinkers or have had liver damage from heavy drinking may have a higher risk of serious side effects.
Because both heavy drinking and (rarely) statin use can affect liver function, both can put people at increased risk for liver-related health problems.
Drinking more than 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women can lead to a higher risk of statin side effects or alcoholic liver disease.
In short, if you have a history of heavy drinking or liver damage, not discussing it with your doctor before prescribing a statin may pose an unnecessary risk.
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References: cdc.gov, health.harvard.edu, mayoclinic.org
