Common statin linked to severe muscle problems

The feds are warning statin users of yet another potential muscle problem... and as usual, telling patients to go right on taking these meds anyway.
Wouldn't want to alarm anyone, right?

Too bad--because the warning speaks for itself, and it's a pretty loud alarm for anyone who's been taking Zocor or its generic equivalent, simvastatin. While muscle problems are a common side effect with all statins, the feds say patients who take high doses of this stuff have an even higher risk of more severe muscle injury.

That "high" dose isn't an overdose or off-label amount prescribed by rogue doctors... but simply the highest approved dose of 80mg.

And if the idea of muscle injury isn't enough to convince you, the feds say simvastatin can also cause rhabdomyolysis –-a condition in which muscle fibers break apart and rush through the blood stream.

That, in turn, can lead to kidney damage and even failure. It's usually caused by severe trauma, alcoholism or abuse of drugs like cocaine and amphetamines. But now, as it turns out, it can also be caused by a statin.

That places these meds right up there with heavy drinking and drug abuse, at least in this regard.

The only thing that would make this drug worse is a combination pill with another bad med... and believe it or not, that exists too.

And yes, it really is worse.

The drug Vytorin is a harrowing blend of Zocor and Zetia. This dangerous duo has been linked to narrowed arteries, complete ineffectiveness and even cancer, among other problems.

You'll also find simvastatin in Simcor, which combines it with the vitamin niacin. That particular combination has been linked to muscle problems in people of Chinese ancestry. The feds say patients of Chinese descent shouldn't take high doses of Zocor along with any niacin products, and that even lower doses might not be safe.

But really, it doesn't matter whether you're from China or Charlotte, or if you're taking simvastatin on its own or in a combination drug... because the end result is the same: completely unnecessary risk.

If you're worried about your cholesterol levels, you don't need to look for a new med... just a new approach. Lifestyle changes and proper nutrition will beat out these meds any day of the week, hands-down.

And they come with no risk other than better living.

The doctors and researchers at the Health Sciences Institute have an extensive online library of cholesterol- lowering tips and strategies. Just visit hsibaltimore.com and enter the keyword "cholesterol" into the "Find a Cure" box for access to some terrific free information.