Which statin has the least side effects?

Cholesterol is like that nagging relative who refuses to leave your house. No matter how much you try to usher them out, they linger around, annoying and stubborn. Surprisingly, cholesterol is essential for our body’s functionality. But an excess of it can lead to grave health issues such as heart diseases (you know which one!).

Most doctors prescribe statins- a group of medications that help lower blood cholesterol levels- as the first line of defense against high LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol levels.

However, these medications have their share of side effects too! Breaking this stereotype on which statin has the least side effects; we present to you Our Ultimate Guide To Statins!

Understanding Statins

Let us begin by diving into what statins are? As mentioned before, these are prescription drugs used for treating high cholesterol levels in people with risk factors such as obesity (which could be because of emotional eating due to being confined indoors #QuarantineStruggle), hypertension (‘Blood pressure’ sounds so mainstream!), diabetes, smoking habits etcetera.

Statins work by blocking enzymes crucial for producing LDL(bad) cholesterols in our liver and increasing HDL(good) cholesterol levels instead!. They not only decrease the buildup of plaque within arteries but also minimize inflammation and stabilize existing formation.

Are you ready to meet some surprises about different types of stains-

Different Types Of Statin Medications

There exist many brands under each type:

  1. Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
  2. Fluvastatin (Lescol)
  3. Lovastatin (Mevacor / Altocor)
  4. Pravastatin(Sodium Biphosphate -Pravachol)-Also available in 80mg tablets.
    5.Rosuvastatin (Crestor)- Practo
  5. Simvastatin( Zocor/Zimara).

Out of these, Atorvastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin are the most commonly prescribed ones.

You might be wondering -Which one to choose? Keep Scrolling!

The Side Effects

Before we get into Which statin medication is best suited for you- Let’s go through some common side effects. Your healthcare provider will monitor them and adjust your dosage accordingly-

Common Statin Side Effects:

These Include:
– Muscle Weakness/Fatigue/Pain(Tell that gym freak in your gang!)
-Liver Function Abnormalities(Increase in liver enzyme level)
-Headaches(Mind over matter doesn’t always work!)
-Digestive Issues(Vomiting/Diarrhea/Nausea)

However, not every patient experiences them; often, they’re mild and temporary (lucky us!).

Here is how each Statin stands:

  1. Lovestatin/Mevacor— Highest rates of reported muscular issues(starts from growing weakness to crippling spasms)
  2. Pravachol(Sodium Biphosphate) — Lowest incidence of muscular side effects
    3.Atrovostation/Lipitor — Lowers LDL numbers up to 50 percent(Pretty high when compared with stats).

4.Zocar-Leg cramps or joint pain may occur along with indigestion.
5.Rossvostaton/Creston –Majority do agree that it lowers cholesterol numbers quickly(High Levels)

So which one suits YOU?-Well! Doctors prescribe different kinds after checking a variety of factors such as age,body weight ,Blood Fat levels etcetera . Now let’s understand who should NOT use statins and WHY.

Who shouldn’t take statins?

Despite being useful for people suffering from High Cholesterol numbers, certain patients should avoid statins altogether as it may have serious consequences.

People Who Should Not Take Statins:

1. Severe Liver disease(Chronic Alcoholism/Hepatitis)
2.People already using certain Antibiotics such as Clarithromycin and Erythromycin(Antibiotic? More like Annoy-biotic!)
3.Children below the age of 8( Aw! Children’s day came a little earlier!)
4.Pregnant women(Parenting is tough- Making decisions for yourself during pregnancy or making choices for your child after birth).

It is crucial to discuss all existing medications with experts before starting any statutory dosage, including herbal supplements and over-the-counter drugs.

The Bottomline

In conclusion, focusing solely on which statin has least side effects can be complicated. While some show fewer side effects than others, they might not suit everyone’s physical limits due to drug compatibility issues or pre-existing health conditions.
Instead of hassling only about how many drops in a water bottle- Focus on increasing HDL Cholesterol levels too (Good cholesterol) by mild exercises(replace game time with running/chasing each other), healthy Diet (how about trying mum-made salads instead of greasy fast food?)and last but not least – Discipline!

Hope you enjoyed reading our guide; now pick up that neglected bike at your garage (why are cars always so inviting!? )and ride off into the sunset towards better health!

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