The FDA warns on statin labels that some people have developed memory loss or confusion while taking statins. These side effects reverse once you stop taking the medication.
Table of Contents
Which statins cause depression?
Of the individual statins, simvastatin, by far the most widely used agent, was associated with a 7% reduction in the risk of developing depression, whereas atorvastatin was associated with an 11% increase in the risk of developing depression.
Can statins make you tired and depressed?
In a study of more than 1,000 adults, researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found that individuals taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs are more likely than non-users to experience decreased energy, fatigue upon exertion, or both.
Do statins reduce anxiety?
Long-term use of statins among patients with CAD appeared to be associated with reduced risk of anxiety, depression, and hostility.
Do statins cause mental fog?
Many people who take statins have reported changes in their memory or feeling like they have a foggy head. These are examples of cognitive side effects, meaning they affect how someone thinks.
Do statins affect mood?
Psychiatric adverse effects, altering mood, personality, and behavior, sometimes arise in patients receiving statins. Statin psychiatric effects can include irritability/aggression, anxiety or depressed mood, violent ideation, sleep problems including nightmares, and possibly suicide attempt and completion.
What can you take instead of statins?
- Fibrates. Mostly used for lowering triglyceride levels in patients whose levels are very high and could cause pancreatitis.
- Plant stanols and sterols.
- Cholestyramine and other bile acid-binding resins.
- Niacin.
- Policosanol.
- Red yeast rice extract (RYRE)
- Natural products.
Do statins affect serotonin?
Statin medications work by blocking a key enzyme involved in the body’s production of cholesterol. We are learning that these medications may also affect serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps us maintain good mood.
Can you just stop taking statins?
You usually have to continue taking statins for life because if you stop taking them, your cholesterol will return to a high level within a few weeks. If you forget to take your dose, do not take an extra one to make up for it. Just take your next dose as usual the following day.
What is the most serious side effect of atorvastatin?
Researchers have linked a particularly severe form of myopathy called rhabdomyolysis to the use of statins. With this potentially life-threatening complication, muscle tissue dies and products of the damaged cells can enter the bloodstream. Some of these products are toxic to the kidneys and may lead to kidney failure.
What happens when you stop taking statins?
Key takeaways: If you stop taking your statin medication, like atorvastatin (Lipitor), you could have a higher risk of heart problems, including heart attack and stroke. Your healthcare provider may recommend stopping your statin if you have serious side effects.
How long after stopping statins do side effects go away?
About 5 to 10% of people who try statins are affected. It’s more common in the elderly, in women and in those taking the more potent statins. Fortunately, these effects disappear within a month after stopping statin therapy. If you think you can’t take statins, ask your doctor about trying the following steps.
Can atorvastatin cause anxiety attacks?
Atorvastatin, used in the previous trial, is a highly potent statin that can reach the brain. Giving atorvastatin for seven days to healthy volunteers was associated with worse emotional perceptions, linked to later development of depressive and anxiety symptoms.
Can you take antidepressants with statins?
With regard to pharmacokinetic drug interactions and the risk of statin related myopathy, escitalopram, citalopram, and paroxetine are to be safe in co-therapy with all statins. Rosuvastatin and pravastatin are almost certain to be safe in co-therapy with all SSRIs.
Can statins treat depression?
In conclusion, statins may be effective for the treatment of depression independent of medical status and escitalopram use, and they may potentiate the antidepressant action of serotonergic antidepressants in patients with ACS.
Do statins cause cognitive decline?
No association between statin use and decline in cognition over time was identified. No differences were found in any of the primary outcomes between users of hydrophilic versus lipophilic statins.
What is the most common side effect of statins?
Myalgia is the most common side effect of statin use, with documented rates from 1-10%. Rhabdomyolysis is the most serious adverse effect from statin use, though it occurs quite rarely (less than 0.1%). The most common risk factors for statin-related myopathy include hypothyroidism, polypharmacy and alcohol abuse.
Is there a connection between statins and dementia?
Our results showed that strong statins, such as rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, and simvastatin, were associated with a larger reduction of dementia, whereas standard statins, such as pravastatin, fluvastatin, and lovastatin, were not associated with a reduction of dementia.
What can cause a sudden change in personality?
Personality changes can be caused by a mental illness like depression, bipolar disorder, or personality disorders. It may also be caused by physical illnesses like a urinary tract infection (especially in older adults), concussion, or brain tumor.
Does atorvastatin cause moodiness?
“An analysis of 324 e-mails of individuals taking statins who reported adverse effects found about 30% reported mood changes (depression, anxiety, irritability),” she said.
What medications can cause anger?
Drug classes most commonly associated with aggressive ADRs are anti-epileptic drugs, antidepres- sants, immunomodulatory drugs, and benzodiazepines.
What is the new cholesterol drug that is not a statin?
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors and bempedoic acid (BDA) are some of the newer non-statin medications available within the United States (US) for the management of cholesterol.
Do most cardiologists take statins?
What a Cardiologist Wants You to Know. About 35 million people take statins in the United States, but research says only 55% of those who are recommended to take a statin are taking one.
What is a natural statin?
Natural statins are dietary supplements that are considered helpful in lowering your cholesterol. There’s some evidence that the following are effective when it comes to reducing cholesterol levels.
What is atorvastatin used for in mental health?
Statins seem useful in reducing depression, particularly in patients with physical disorders such as cardiovascular disease. In patients with schizophrenia, negative symptoms may be reduced by adjuvant statin therapy.