Who Should Avoid Certain Cholesterol Drugs? Safety Tips

02/27/2026

 

Popular Medications for High Cholesterol

Statin is a class of drug that helps in lowering high cholesterol levels, particularly LDL, which further reduces the risks of stroke and heart attacks. They function by restricting certain enzymes required by the liver for cholesterol production, prompting the liver to utilize and remove the already present cholesterol in the blood. This helps in reducing the overall cholesterol level in the body. Certain statins have shown to bring down the LDL, or bad cholesterol, by about 50%. Besides LDL, statins also lower triglycerides, increase HDL levels, and aid the liver in eliminating excess cholesterol. Some examples of statins are: Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Simvastatin (Zocor), Pitavastatin (Livalo), Rosuvastatin (Crestor). However, before you buy cholesterol tablets online, please discuss with your doctor if that’s the right medicine for your specific condition.

Side Effects of Statins

Most individuals take statins without experiencing many repercussions; however, some statins may cause adverse effects such as indigestion, pain in the muscles, brain fog, and liver issues. If you are experiencing any discomfort or side effects while taking the prescribed medication, you must consult with your healthcare provider; they might prescribe you an alternate medication. Some of the common side effects of statins are discussed below:

Muscle pain:

Few people may get to witness pain in the muscles leading to tiredness and weakness while taking statins. The pain could be either mild or severe, making it difficult to even carry out normal activities. About 5% of people taking statins may develop muscle pain.

Liver Ailments:

Although rare, a few people may experience liver issues. Some statins may cause the levels of the enzymes in the liver to increase, leading to inflammation, so your doctor would recommend undertaking a liver enzyme test before administering statins. If you notice any symptoms related to liver issues, such as reduced appetite, fatigue, dark colored urine, or skin or eyes turning yellow, inform your doctor; you might be suggested an alternate statin.

Type 2 Diabetes:

Some people, while taking statins, may notice an increase in their blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Even the FDA has highlighted statins and the risk of increased sugar levels. People who are diabetic or prediabetic and are taking statins should frequently get their blood tested to know their glucose levels.

Brain Fog:

Some people, while on statins, have witnessed a feeling of confusion and memory fade; however, these conditions reverse when one stops taking the medication. Even the FDA has issued warnings on statins about memory loss and feeling confused. If you notice any of these symptoms, you must inform your health care provider.

People who should avoid Statins:

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to statins and should avoid taking them unless prescribed otherwise by the doctor. Some of those have been discussed below:

 

• People who are 80 years old and above.

• Individuals who are allergic to statins.

• People with existing liver disorders.

• Individuals taking medications that may interact with statins, especially those on Biaxin XL, Sporanox, Pacerone, and Lopid.

• Those with a history of muscle pain or damage.

• Individuals with uncontrolled hypothyroidism and certain neurological conditions.

• Breastfeeding mothers, pregnant ladies, or those planning to get pregnant should keep away from statins.

The above group of people should be extra cautious and should not administer statins unless the doctor finds it extremely necessary to use them.

Takeaway:

Cholesterol-lowering medications, particularly statins, have been nothing short of a revolution in minimizing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks, and stroke. However, not everyone would find statins to be effective for their individual condition, especially pregnant women, people allergic to statins, individuals with active liver or muscle disorders, or those with uncontrolled hypothyroidism and neurological conditions. However, medications alone will not yield desired results; they need to be complemented with regular physical activity, a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and smoking cessation. It is also crucial to inform your doctor of any health conditions and the medications you may be taking, whether prescription or non-prescription, or any health supplements, as this would enable the doctor to mitigate any risks of adverse effects. Working in accordance with your doctor’s suggestions and administering medication as and when directed will help you keep cholesterol levels in check and reduce the risks of heart attacks and stroke.