NHS statins side effects that mean you should stop taking them

NHS guidelines urge those taking statins to stop their medication and seek medical assistance should they notice any of several particular symptoms. Statins are designed to lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the bloodstream. LDL cholesterol is widely referred to as "bad cholesterol", with statins functioning to reduce its production in the liver. Raised LDL cholesterol levels carry considerable health risks and may heighten the chances of strokes, heart attacks, angina, and coronary heart disease. Those prescribed statins generally take them once a day. As with other medications, some individuals taking statins may encounter unwanted side effects, though the vast majority do not. Which side effects occur will depend on the particular type of statin being taken, although common ones include nausea, headaches , cold-like symptoms, constipation, diarrhoea, and feelings of weakness or dizziness. NHS advice reads: "Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you get any side effects at all, and if they bother you or do not go away. Your doctor may recommend trying a lower dose of pravastatin or a different statin." However, the NHS also warns of serious adverse reactions that require urgent medical attention. Guidance for atorvastatin (Lipitor), pravastatin (Lipostat), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor), recommends stopping the medication and calling 111 or consulting a doctor straight away should you experience any of the following symptoms: unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness or cramps, as these could indicate muscle breakdown and kidney damage a skin rash with pink or red blotches, particularly on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet – this might be a symptom of erythema multiforme the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow, although this may be less noticeable on brown or black skin, or if you have pale stools and dark urine – these could be signs of liver problems severe stomach pain – this could be an indication of acute pancreatitis a cough, shortness of breath, and weight loss – these could be symptoms of lung disease weakness in your arms or legs that worsens after activity, or if you experience double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulties swallowing or shortness of breath - these could be signs of myasthenia gravis You should dial 999 or head straight to A&E if you develop severe breathing or swallowing difficulties. Certain other symptoms may suggest you've had a serious allergic reaction and should call for an ambulance: your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly swell up you become extremely confused, drowsy or dizzy all of a sudden you're breathing at an unusually rapid pace or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel as though you're choking or gasping for air) your throat feels constricted or swallowing becomes difficult your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (for those with black or brown skin, this may be more noticeable on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet) a child appears limp, floppy or unresponsive in a way that's not normal for them (their head may droop to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may struggle to lift their head or focus on your face) someone faints and cannot be woken up Additionally, you or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.