People's Pharmacy

For more up-to-date information on drugs, herbs and home remedies visit The People's Pharmacy Home Site at peoplespharmacy.us

Did Cholesterol Drug Cause Amnesia?

Posting Date: 07/18/2005

Q. My cholesterol has always been around 200 but I have a bad family history and a past angioplasty. In addition to a good diet and regular exercise, my doctor has prescribed various statin drugs to lower my cholesterol. Three different ones have given me peripheral neuropathy (pins and needles).

On Niaspan and Zetia my total cholesterol is 160, with bad LDL at 97. My doctor wants it below 80 so he prescribed Crestor, which he takes himself. I started on Friday and on Sunday I woke with what has been diagnosed as transient global amnesia. I played golf that morning and played well, but I kept asking the same questions over and over. My wife and my golfing partners decided I should go to the hospital after nine holes.

This began at 7:00 AM and I did not regain any short-term memory until 3:00 PM. By 5 PM I was back to normal. The doctors doubt the Crestor was responsible. Could it be?

A. We can?t say whether Crestor caused your transient global amnesia (TGA), but others have reported memory problems and TGA while taking statin cholesterol-lowering medicines. The first person we heard from was Duane Graveline, MD. He described his experience in the book, Lipitor, Thief of Memory.

We spoke with Dr. Graveline and other experts on this topic on our radio show. For an hour-long CD of this interview, please send $15 to: People?s Pharmacy (CD-523), P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

TGA is not a common side effect, but it is very distressing. You and your doctor may need to find something other than a statin to reduce your LDL cholesterol further.

Q. When you write about the high cost of medicines, you should be more helpful. Tell people to shop around because prices vary from one pharmacy to another. The savings can be significant.

When my mother?s medicines became cost-prohibitive, we contacted the drug companies. They have programs to assist people with very low incomes. Please tell your readers about these alternatives.