However, any drug has certain risks, and statins are no exception. Statins require long-term use. Many people say that statins can damage the liver and are the "poison" of the liver. Should I take it?
1. Abnormal liver function
Transaminase mainly exists in hepatocytes, so the level of transaminase can reflect the health of the liver. When liver cells are inflamed, poisoned and necrotic, transaminase will be released into the serum, and the serum transaminase value will increase.
Long-term use of statins may cause abnormal liver function, so it is necessary to check the level of transaminase at the beginning of medication. If there is no problem, you need to check it once a year or half a year later. A few patients will have a transient increase in transaminase, which can return to normal after reduction or withdrawal, and even some patients will slowly recover transaminase without stopping withdrawal. If transaminase rises more than 3 times, it is necessary to stop taking the drug or change the medicine. Generally speaking, fat-soluble statins, such as simvastatin and atorvastatin, are more likely to cause abnormal liver function, while water-soluble statins, such as rosuvastatin and pravastatin, can be replaced and safer.
2. rhabdomyolysis
Long-term use of statins may cause muscle pain. At this time, it is necessary to check the creatine kinase value. If it is higher than the normal value 10 times, the drug should be stopped. If not checked in time, creatine kinase will continue to rise, which may lead to rhabdomyolysis and even affect renal function.
3. Lead to elevated blood sugar
A small number of patients will have hyperglycemia and even develop diabetes after taking statins, but the probability of this happening is relatively small. Long-term medication needs to detect blood sugar levels. If abnormal glucose tolerance or elevated blood sugar is found, the drug should be adjusted under the guidance of a doctor, and the drug should not be stopped at will.
4. Other side effects
Common symptoms include gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, nausea, etc., which are generally mild and can disappear by themselves after taking medicine for a period of time. If it is really intolerant, it should be adjusted under the guidance of a doctor.
1. Know your physical condition, especially liver function, before taking statins, and use it with caution if you have liver disease.
2. Start taking medicine from a small dose. If the effect is not ideal, gradually add medicine and give the body an adaptation process, which is not easy to have side effects.
3. Regularly check transaminase, creatine kinase, blood sugar, blood lipid and other indicators, especially in the initial stage of medication, and check at least once a year for long-term medication.
4. If you are taking atorvastatin, simvastatin or lovastatin, it is best not to eat grapefruit, because grapefruit will affect the metabolism of CYP3A4 enzyme, so that statins cannot be metabolized and accumulate in the body, leading to side effects. Other rosuvastatin, pitavastatin, fluvastatin and pravastatin are not metabolized by this enzyme, and you can eat grapefruit.
5. Don't drink alcohol during medication and have a light diet. Although drugs can lower blood lipids, they are not an excuse for indulgence. Only by developing healthy eating habits can disease treatment get twice the result with half the effort. Usually eat more fruits and vegetables, do more exercise, enhance physical fitness and reduce the burden on the liver.