See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects. Muscle pain is also a very common symptom among people that have taken statins. Among the 60 participants who completed the experiment, the average symptom severity was 8.0 during the months when they took no tablets, 15.4 in the months when they took placebo pills, and 16.3 in the months when they took the statin. “Our study can help doctors manage patients’ expectations of statins and to explain more clearly to patients the possibility that some side effects they experience may be caused by the nocebo effect and provide further support if needed,” says joint first author Frances Wood, from Imperial’s National Heart and Lung Institute. However,Prof. Also, people’s general outlook may determine the extent to which they experience a placebo or nocebo effect. They are effective, potentially saving lives, but they are not without their drawbacks. Fewer people have heard of the nocebo effect, which is when negative expectations lead to worse outcomes. Researchers estimate that almost 30% of people over 40 in the United States take a statin. According to the research of Dr. Golomb, nerve problems are a common side effect from statin use; patients who use statins for two or more years are at a 4- to 14-fold increased risk of developing idiopathic polyneuropathy compared to controls. All medicines can have side effects. It can also be caused by illnesses as a result of our immune system releasing chemicals into our bodies to defeat pathogens. Liver damage is another possible serious side effect of statin therapy. Speaking to the Science Media Centre, in London, he said that learning about this comparison at the end of the study may have persuaded many of them to restart statins. Recently, scientists at Imperial College London and clinicians at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, in the United Kingdom, designed an experiment to discover the extent to which the nocebo effect is responsible for unpleasant effects reported by people taking statins. However, according to a 2014 review of clinical trials that compared statins with a placebo, or “dummy pill” — only a small proportion of the reported symptoms were actually caused by the drugs. Since the introduction of statins in the 1990s, the idea of prescribing these drugs to large numbers of otherwise healthy people to prevent heart disease has been controversial. The researchers recruited patients aged 37–79 years who had been taking a statin but discontinued it within 2 weeks of starting because of side effects. For a person at high risk of cardiovascular disease, taking a statin reduces the chances of having a heart attack or stroke by lowering the amount of cholesterol in their blood. 12 She reports that in many cases, patients told her they had complained to their doctors about neurological problems, only to be assured that … The difference in symptom severity between placebo months and statin months was not statistically significant, however, possibly because of the relatively small number of participants in the experiment. The researchers instructed the participants to use the contents of a different bottle each month according to a predetermined random sequence covering the 12 months of the experiment. Heart disease is a major cause of death. In this article, learn about the different types, how to recognize the symptoms, and what treatment to expect. In Summary. “The patients in this trial were not typical of all patients who are prescribed statins because they had all discontinued statins previously, after side effects that started within 2 weeks after they started [taking statins],” he said. In theory, these widespread negative expectations could provoke a strong nocebo effect, persuading people who may benefit from statins to stop taking them. A range of risk factors may…, People sometimes call high blood pressure the silent killer because it often has no symptoms, but it can lead to life threatening complications. The researchers report that 6 months after the end of the trial, 30 of the participants had resumed taking statins and a further four planned to do so. Home | Privacy Policy | Editorial | The side effects can range from being mild to severe, and here’s a look at some of the most common. A sign of liver damage is an increase in liver enzymes. Researchers estimate that almost 30% of people over 40 in the United States take a statin. Learn about the types, their uses, and the risks of taking statins here. Remember that statin medications can reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke, and the risk of life-threatening side effects from statins is very low. In addition, the research found that people experiencing anxiety or fear were more likely to perceive negative effects of a treatment. This site offers information designed for entertainment & educational purposes only. High blood pressure: Could gut bacteria play a role. Statins are linked to a few rare but potentially serious side effects, including: Myositis, which is inflammation of the muscles. The level of pain is often uncomfortable but bearable, but it can be excruciating for some people. Anywhere from 5% to 20% of people who take statins report having it. Hypertension or high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, and death and is a major global health concern. Most people are familiar with the way that positive expectations about a treatment can improve its outcome, known as the placebo effect. How might a hormone aid weight loss in obesity? Medical News Today reported research suggesting that optimism enhances the placebo effect, while pessimism enhances the nocebo effect. Other reported risks and side effects include: muscle pain and weakness muscle damage liver damage digestive issues (nausea, gas, diarrhea, constipation) rash or flushing increased blood sugar and risk of developing type 2 diabetes With any health related topic discussed on this site you should not rely on any information on this site as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, treatment, advice, or as a substitute for, professional counseling care, advice, treatment, or diagnosis. Cookie Settings Now, a study has found that this effect may account for up to 90% of the symptom severity elicited by statins. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects. Statins are drugs that can reduce levels of cholesterol in the blood. It can also be caused by illnesses as a result of our immune system releasing chemicals into our bodies to defeat pathogens. Too much cholesterol in the body can be very bad for us. It is advised to eat a healthy diet and exercise as much as possible to keep cholesterol levels down, but this is not easy for a lot of people. Muscle pain is the most common side effect caused by statin use. “Our study suggests that the reported side effects of statins are not caused by the statins themselves but by the effect of taking a tablet,” says joint first author Dr. James Howard, a clinical research fellow at Imperial College London and a cardiologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. With statins, the most common one is muscle pain. | About Us. Researchers estimate that almost 30% of people over 40 in the United States take a statin. Over recent years, researchers have investigated the potential role of gut bacteria in hypertension. Out of the 71 discontinuations, 31 occurred during placebo months, and 40 occurred during statin months. Each participant received 12 pill bottles. Most patients tolerate statins well, but like all medications, statins can cause side effects, which tend to be more severe as the statin dose and potency increase. Other potential side effects include: “Some of the side effects could also be from the typical aches and pains of getting older,” he adds. Common side effects of all statins Side effects reported by some people include muscle pain and digestive problems. Some of the more common statin side effects include headache and gastrointestinal symptoms. They found that 90% of the symptom severity reported with statin use was also reported by people taking placebo pills. Unusual fatigue or weakness, loss of appetite, pain in your upper abdomen, dark-colored urine, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. Muscle pain is one of the most common contributors behind patients stopping using the drug. Commonly reported side effects of statins include: Headaches Nausea Muscle and joint aches Everything you need to know about heart disease, Everything you need to know about hypertension. Four bottles contained a monthly supply of a statin called atorvastatin, four contained a monthly supply of placebo pills, and four contained nothing. A … MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. © 2004-2020 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. The most common side effects reported with statins include: A headache belching or excessive gas constipation heartburn, indigestion, nausea or stomach discomfort hoarseness lower back or side pain muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness pain or … Statins Side Effect #1: Muscle Pain It’s not uncommon for us to feel aches and pains in our muscles. When found in high concentrations in the blood, it can contribute to heart disease and a range of other potentially dangerous complications. Kevin McConway, an emeritus professor of applied statistics at The Open University, in the U.K., who was not involved in the research, said one strength of the study was that each participant could see how their symptoms compared after taking the placebo and the statin. Although side effects believed to be caused by statins can be annoying, consider the benefits of taking a statin before you decide to stop taking your medication. Not everybody who takes a statin has side effects, but they tend to be more common in women, seniors, and people with liver or kidney disease. Although evidence is mounting, questions remain. In part, this is due to a public perception that the drugs cause unpleasant side effects. The team has published their findings as a letter in The New England Journal of Medicine. Most people tolerate these drugs well, but many stop taking them after reporting side effects such as muscle aches, fatigue, and joint pain. McConway questioned whether the findings regarding the strength of the nocebo effect would apply to everyone who takes a statin. Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention Body aches or pain congestion dry or sore throat runny nose tender, swollen glands in the neck voice changes Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional, Tuberculosis vaccine may help protect against COVID-19, Jaw-clenching and teeth-grinding during the pandemic, The impact of historical trauma on American Indian health equity, The Recovery Room: News beyond the pandemic — November 27. Quite often, it is a case of our muscles being overworked or just having been in the same position for too long. Some symptoms, such as aches and pains, may result from normal aging, the nocebo effect, or an interaction between the two. Find…. If the participants felt that their symptoms were unacceptably severe, they were encouraged to stop taking the tablets for that month. All rights reserved. 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