Ashoke Bijoy Das Gupta¹, AKM Mosharrof Hossain²
1. Associate Professor, Pharmacology, North East Medical College, Sylhet.
2. Professor, Pharmacology, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College.
Introduction
Statins, available since 1980, are among the most widely prescribed drugs for primary and secondary prevention of heart diseases, but perhaps their discontinuation rate is rather high.¹
Statins block cholesterol synthesis in liver by blocking action of HMG CoA reductase, appear beneficial to reduce atherosclerosis, cardiovascular events, stroke. 1.2 American Heart Association Guideline includes statin as primary prevention of cardiovascular events when lifestyle change fails. Statin use is associated with some adverse effects e.g. increase liver enzymes and may cause myopathy, in severe cases even may cause rhabdomyolysis and undergo drug interaction. Some researchers find statins linked to memory loss or amyotropic lateral sclerosis.
Recently, FDA warns about dangerous changes in cognition and increase risk of diabetes in patients who are taking statin. Memory loss is reversed on discontinuation of taking the drug, however impact on blood sugar level would lead to Type 2 diabetes, a life long disease.