Statins for Cardiovascular Disease, are they Toxic?
Author(s):
James D Adams and Eric J Lien
Statins are widely used and are considered safe for almost everyone above the age of 40 or so. Statins are implicated in muscle damage, induction of diabetes, depression and Parkinson’s disease. Some of these problems are reversible with statin withdrawal, some are not. The inhibition of protein isoprenylation by statins is important in many of these toxic reactions. The benefits of diet and exercise in these patients cannot be overestimated. Patients should be encouraged to exercise and diet until statins can be withdrawn.