Cholesterol Drugs Side Effects

Information On Commonly Experienced Cholesterol Drugs Side Effects Ranging From Mild To Severe Side Effects.

With over 12 million Americans currently taking cholesterol lowering drugs such as Lipitor; Zocor; Pravachl; Lescol; Mevacor or Crestor, attention needs to be given to cholesterol drugs side effects. The most common type of cholesterol lowering drug taken are "Statins. " These work on the liver, causing it to reduce its production of cholesterol. In turn, this slows the production of, and sometimes slows down the growth of plaques and thus reduces the side-effects that occur when too many plaques form in the blood vessels. Commonly, statins are prescribed for patients who are experiencing chest pain, heart attacks and strokes, and those who are in danger with high cholesterol levels in their blood. Drugs vary in strength. Lipitor and Crestor are among the strongest currently prescribed by physicians, while Lescol is the least strong.

Cholesterol drugs side effects vary from drug to drug. While these drugs have been a godsend for people struggling to lower high cholesterol levels in their blood, there are quite a few cholesterol drugs side effects, ranging from those causing discomfort to life-threatening side effects. For example some of the milder or more common cholesterol drugs side effects include headaches; nausea and vomiting; constipation or diarrhea; rashes, overall feelings of weakness, and sometimes muscle pain. More serious cholesterol drugs side effects are thankfully quite rare, although they do occur. As the liver is the organ most intricately involved when it comes to cholesterol lowering drugs, it is understandable that this organ has the most cholesterol drugs side effects. Liver failure, although not common, is one of the more severe cholesterol drugs side effects.

Other main serious cholesterol drugs side effects affect muscles and the kidneys. The first sign of Rhabdomyolysis is muscle pain. This in turn can lead to loss of muscle cells and kidney failure. If left untreated, it results in death. This is why it is recommended that you consult your doctor at the first sign of any muscle pain that occurs while taking cholesterol lowering medication.