People's Pharmacy

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The Dark Side of Statins #523

Posting Date: 12/11/2004

Cholesterol lowering drugs like Lipitor, Zocor and Crestor are the most

successful drugs in the world. They bring down bad LDL cholesterol

almost like magic and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Some physicians believe these statin drugs can reduce the risk of

dementia, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, depression, glaucoma and

prostate cancer. The enthusiasm is such that some doctors have

suggested the drugs should be in the water supply.

But is there a darker side to statins? Some people report debilitating

muscle pain and weakness, even though their laboratory results are

within the normal range. Others complain about frightening memory

problems. How can people balance benefits against risks?

Guests: Duane Graveline, MD, flight surgeon, former astronaut and

author of "Lipitor: Thief of Memory"; Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD,

Director of the UCSD Statin Study; Stephen Sinatra, MD, cardiologist

and author of "The Sinatra Health Report".

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