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Statins work by reducing the amount of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in your blood. LDL cholesterol is a waxy substance that builds up on the walls of your arteries, a process known as atherosclerosis. By lowering LDL cholesterol, you can reduce this build-up and ward off the threat of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, such as a heart attack or stroke.
Statins offer tangible health benefits, but taking them can cause an adverse reaction in some people.
According to Bupa, this can happen to one in 1,000 people who take statins.
A serious side effect is the formation of blisters and swelling of the skin of your genitals, mouth or eyes, the health body warns.
Other serious side effects include:
- Allergic reaction that causes the face, tongue and throat to swell and makes it difficult to breathe
- Pain, weakness and tenderness in your muscles with high temperature and generally feeling unwell; it could be a sign of muscle damage.
READ MORE: Statin Warning: Grapefruit Juice May Interact With Treatment – What Else To Avoid
If any of the above reactions happen to you, stop taking the statin and contact your doctor immediately, advises Bupa.
Am I at risk of side effects?
Not all people who take a statin will have side effects, but some people may be at greater risk than others.
According to the Mayo Clinic, risk factors include:
- Take multiple medications to lower your cholesterol
- Be a woman
- Have a smaller body
- Be 80 years of age or older
- Have kidney or liver disease
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Have certain conditions such as hypothyroidism or neuromuscular disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
It is important to note that interactions with certain medications and certain dietary decisions can also cause unwanted effects.
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Grapefruit juice is one of the most surprising food decisions that can trigger serious side effects.
According to Mayo Clinic, grapefruit juice contains a chemical that can interfere with enzymes that break down (metabolize) statins in your digestive system.
“Although you don’t need to eliminate grapefruit completely from your diet, ask your doctor how much grapefruit you can have,” the health organization explains.
Some drugs that can interact with statins and increase your risk of side effects include:
- Amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), a medicine for irregular heart rhythms
- Gemfibrozil (Lopid), another variety of cholesterol medication
- Anti-HIV treatments called protease inhibitors such as saquinavir (Invirase) and ritonavir (Norvir)
- Certain antibiotic and antifungal drugs, such as clarithromycin and itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox)
- Certain immunosuppressive drugs, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune).
Instead, you should opt for foods high in unsaturated fats, such as oily fish, brown rice, nuts, and seeds.
Many of these components are found naturally in a Mediterranean style diet.
Along with eating a healthy diet, regular exercise can help lower harmful cholesterol levels.
“Aim to get at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of exercise per week,” advises the NHS.
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