Cholesterol-reducing Statins May Pose Health Risk, Health Canada Says

By Danielle Briones

Published on July 23, 2005

The list of potentially dangerous drugs includes Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor, and Lescol and Lescol LX. Statin patients who have underlying health problems may develop a condition known as rhabdomyolysis, a type of severe muscle damage.

Health Canada requested that cholesterol drug manufacturers include a description of risk on each drug's safety information sheet. The current patient safety information sheet reads:

Before taking a statin, patients should tell their doctor or pharmacist if they:

• Are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
• Have thyroid problems.
• Regularly drink three or more alcoholic beverages a day.
• Take any other cholesterol-lowering medications, such as fibrates (gemfibrozil, fenofibrate) or niacin.
• Take other medications, including prescription, non-prescription and natural health products, as drug interactions may occur.
• Have a family history of muscular disorders.
• Had past problems with muscles (pain, tenderness) after taking a statin.
• Have kidney or liver problems or diabetes.
• Had surgery or other tissue injury.

Patients are advised to contact their doctor promptly if they experience any of the following while on statin therapy:

• Muscle pain they cannot explain.
• Muscle tenderness or muscle weakness.
• Generalized weakness, especially not feeling well, including having fever or fatigue.
• Brownish or discoloured urine.
• Patients should continue to take their medication as prescribed and should contact their physician if they have any concerns.

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