If you take cholesterol-lowering drugs, or are being urged by your doctor to start taking them, you should be aware that:

-statins can cause severe muscle weakness and pain, even at low doses;
-statins can cause cognitive impairment and memory loss;
-cholesterol-lowering drugs routinely cause cancer in laboratory animals, and there is valid concern that they may do the same in humans;
-statins have been linked to increased risk of heart failure;
-statins may cause birth defects;
-a large percentage of doctors remain astonishingly ignorant of the adverse effects of statins!

When clinical trials in the early 1990s showed that statins could lower mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, they were loudly hailed as 'miracle' drugs and enthusiastically embraced by the medical establishment.

Today, statin drugs are a physician favorite that rake in over $20 billion a year for their manufacturers. They are routinely prescribed to men and women of all ages, including those who show no clinical signs of coronary heart disease.

Despite the intensity of mainstream medicine's love affair with cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, evidence is rapidly mounting to show that, for many people, they may cause more harm than good.

The purpose of this website is not to dispense medical advice or to convince anyone that they should stop taking their medication. That is a decision individuals must make for themselves in consultation with a competent medical practitioner. StatinAlert.org acknowledges that statin use may be beneficial in certain patient groups--such as males with existing coronary heart disease. The purpose of this website is to educate the public that statins are powerful drugs that can indeed cause serious side effects--and frequently do.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that a large number of statin users suffer side effects but are ignored or dismissed by their doctors--doctors who evidently appear incapable of accepting that these so-called 'miracle' drugs could in any way be harmful.

On StatinAlert.org, you will learn how:

-statin side effects are far more common than their promoters would have us believe;
-healthy individuals have experienced permanent injury and even death as a result of statin use;
-potentially dangerous statin drugs are routinely prescribed to women and the elderly, but researchers have yet to prove these groups will benefit from their use;
-the relentless promotional efforts of drug companies and health authorities have effectively blinded many physicians to the harmful effects of statins.

Researchers urge caution over statin drugs:

"The pharmaceutical industry would lead us to believe that rapidly bottoming out our natural cholesterol levels through the use of their highly touted statin drugs is a relatively innocuous process of definite benefit to society. But as we learn more each day of this ubiquitous and unique substance, we must question the veracity of their medical advisors. Cholesterol is perhaps the most important substance in our lives."
Duane Graveline, MD, MPH.

Despite industry hype, there is no data, none, to show that statins are an overall benefit to people without proven coronary artery disease [CAD]. Putting people on a lifetime of medication, when they do not have CAD, exposes them to health risks and major financial costs, for possibly no benefit. Encouraging people to put themselves on a lifetime of medication, in consultation with a pharmacist, does not seem consistent with the goal of promoting public health.

Before we pathologize millions of people as "hypercholesterolemic”, society ought seriously to rethink how we go about the important task of primary prevention of heart disease. Diet and exercise seem likely to be cheaper, safer and more effective."
Professor Arthur Schafer, Director, Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Canada, commenting on the recent decision to allow OTC simvastatin in the UK.

"The most common problems we hear reported pertain to muscle pain or weakness, fatigue, memory and cognitive problems, sleep problems, and neuropathy. Erectile dysfunction, problems with temperature regulation (feeling hot or cold, or having sweats), are among the other problems reported...

...benefit to survival with statins or other cholesterol-lowering agents has never been demonstrated in women (even those at high cardiac risk), in the older elderly, or in men at lower cardiac risk..."
Dr. Beatrice A. Golomb, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator of ongoing National Institutes of Health study of statin side effects. Read full interview.

"We have people who have lost thinking ability so rapidly that within the course of a couple of months they went from being head of major divisions of companies to not being able to balance a checkbook and being fired from their company,"
Dr Golomb, speaking to CBS News.

Statins may cause cancer
From the January 3, 1996 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association:
"All members of the two most popular classes of lipid-lowering drugs (the fibrates and the statins) cause cancer in rodents, in some cases at levels of animal exposure close to those prescribed to humans. In contrast, few of the antihypertensive drugs have been found to be carcinogenic in rodents. Evidence of carcinogenicity of lipid-lowering drugs from clinical trials in humans is inconclusive because of inconsistent results and insufficient duration of follow-up ...

Longer-term clinical trials and careful postmarketing surveillance during the next several decades are needed to determine whether cholesterol-lowering drugs cause cancer in humans. In the meantime, the results of experiments in animals and humans suggest that lipid-lowering drug treatment, especially with the fibrates and statins, should be avoided except in patients at high short-term risk of coronary heart disease."

Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD, independent researcher writes:
"Although the benefit of 22 fewer deaths from vascular disease was neutralised by 24 more deaths from cancer, the directors of the new statin trial PROSPER recommend pravastatin also for old people. They belittle the increased incidence of cancer by referring to their meta-analysis of all clinical statin trials according to which they found no overall increase in cancer. However, in that analysis non-melanoma skin cancer was excluded.

Chemical carcinogenesis in human beings is a process that demands many years. If statin treatment promotes all types of cancer in human beings, as it seems to do in experimental animals, we should expect that the first ones to be seen were those that are easily detectable, the superficial ones, and we should also expect to see cancer primarily in old people, because the strongest risk factor for cancer is age. This is also what has happened. An increased incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer was observed in the simvastatin trials, 4S and HPS (no figures were given in the other trials)."

Statins and heart failure
Peter H. Langsjoen, MD notes:
"In my practice of 17 years in Tyler, Texas, I have seen a frightening increase in heart failure secondary to statin usage, "statin cardiomyopathy". Over the past five years, statins have become more potent, are being prescribed in higher doses, and are being used with reckless abandon in the elderly and in patients with "normal" cholesterol levels. We are in the midst of a CHF [congestive heart failure] epidemic in the US with a dramatic increase over the past decade. Are we causing this epidemic through our zealous use of statins? In large part I think the answer is yes."

Unfounded health claims for statins:

Alzheimer's disease
"There are insufficient clinical data to support the use of statins for the reduction in risk of Alzheimer's disease. Inclusion of this indication on national or local formularies is not currently warranted."
Scott HD, Laake K. Statins for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2004. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Osteoporosis
"Among osteopenic women, treatment with simvastatin for 12 weeks did not affect markers of bone formation or resorption."
Hsia J, et al. Effect of simvastatin on bone markers in osteopenic women: a placebo-controlled, dose-ranging trial [ISRCTN85429598]. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2002; 3 (1): 7.

"To study effects of statins on human bone, 82 postmenopausal women were randomized to 1-year treatment with simvastatin 40 mg/day or placebo. The study showed no effect of simvastatin on biochemical bone markers or on BMD at the hip or spine. Thus, our results do not support a general beneficial effect of simvastatin on bone."
Rejnmark L, et al. Effects of simvastatin on bone turnover and BMD: a 1-year randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal osteopenic women. J Bone Miner Res. 2004 May; 19 (5): 737-744.

Multiple Sclerosis
Vollmer and colleagues recently administered a hefty 80mg daily dose of simvastatin to thirty MS patients for six months. Decreases in both the volume and number of brain lesions were noted on MRI scans. While the press excitedly reported the study with such headings as "Statins may curb multiple sclerosis", the clinical significance of these findings remains unknown. No improvements were observed in relapse rate, nor were any changes reported in the extended disability status scale, a measure of ambulatory capacity. Further research is required to elucidate the physiological mechanisms behind these changes, and whether they can actually bring about clinical improvements in MS sufferers. The last consideration should be especially clear before statins are recommended to MS patients, because this group is in no way immune to their harmful effects: two of the thirty patients had "clinically important" elevations in liver enzymes, another three experienced muscle weakness "possibly related to study drug".
Anthony Colpo, commenting on Vollmer T, et al. Oral simvastatin treatment in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Lancet, May 15, 2004; 363: 1607-1608.

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Now Available!
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Anthony Colpo's acclaimed new book explains why cholesterol does not cause heart disease. Find out what really does promote this insidious killer and what you can do to stop it!


A collection of humurous, no-holds-barred articles from the sorely missed TheOmnivore.com. Anthony Colpo takes
on all-comers and totally destroys some
of modern medicine's most sacred cows
in the proces!

Statin Expert Releases New Book on Cholesterol Drugs

Statins: A risk to your baby?
USA TODAY reports that birth-defects specialists are concerned about the possibility of a cholesterol-lowering statin drug going over the counter.

University of California, San Diego, launches New Statin Effects Study website.

Side effects of statins under more scrutiny
Florida Today reports on statin-associated memory loss and disorientation.

More on Statin Side Effects
Canada's largest daily newspaper describes how statins can quickly turn into a health nightmare (the article requires registration, but is well worth the effort. Visit BugMeNot.com to bypass web registration).

Cholesterol drug health warning
Popular Australian current affairs show TodayTonight examines statin-induced memory loss and talks to Dr. Duane Graveline, author of Lipitor: Thief of Memory

New Study: No Increase in Acute Coronary Events After Short-Term Abrupt Discontinuation of Statins in Stable Cardiac Patients.

Concerned Scientists Dispute New Cholesterol-Lowering Guidelines.
Statin Drug Treatment Carries Great Risk, Few Benefits

When statins cause problems
Side effects of cholesterol-fighting drugs get attention in wake of concern about Crestor

Crestor Side Effect Report Delayed
Public Citizen contends that Astra-Zeneca illegally delayed reporting side effects linked to its statin drug Crestor, and is urging a Food and Drug Administration investigation.

The dangers of statin drugs: what you haven't been told about cholesterol-lowering medications

The Lipitor Dilemna
Is America overdosing on Pfizer's wonderdrug?

Case report: Natural cholesterol-lowering supplement causes myopathy
The December 2003 issue of the Southern Medical Journal carried a case report of a middle-aged man with joint pain and muscle weakness that began one month after commencing red rice yeast extract (Cholestin) supplements.

Getting healthy again--the high-fat, low-carbohydrate way
An enlightening interview with San Francisco's Thomas Cowan, M.D., who has used low-carbohydrate diets and nutritional supplements to treat ex-statin users.

Panel's ties to drugmakers not cited in new cholesterol guidelines
At least six of the nine panelists responsible for the new NCEP cholesterol guidelines--which will effectively create millions more new customers for cholesterol-lowering drug manufacturers--have received grants or consulting or speakers' fees from these same companies, a fact that was not revealed in the recent Circulation article announcing the updated guidelines.

Statins, Memory Loss, and the Misguided War on Cholesterol
A review of the book Lipitor: Thief of Memory, by Duane Graveline, M.D.

'Statins caused my kidney failure'
How cholesterol-lowering drugs turned a fit and healthy man into a kidney failure patient.

Lipitor may increase incidence of side effects in people taking diabetic drugs
A recent report indicates that atorvastatin (Lipitor) may produce a significantly higher incidence of adverse reactions in diabetics taking thiazolidonediones than the competing drug simvastatin.

The truth about Crestor: Is Crestor dangerous and, if so, why?
Dr. Jay S. Cohen explains why it's a good idea to steer clear of Crestor.

The Truth About the Drug Companies
A former Editor-in-Chief of one of the world's most prestigious medical journals provides this highly-revealing glimpse inside the world of Big Pharma.

'We've been bamboozled' about cholesterol risks
Roni Rabin critically examines what women have--and haven't--been told about cholesterol, statins, and heart disease.

Statin Adverse Effects: Implications for the Elderly
Beatrice A. Golomb, M.D., Ph.D., explains why elderly patients should be very, very wary about taking statins.

One man's personal hell caused by statins.
63-year old New Zealander Andy Whyman had no idea what lay in store for him when his doctor first prescribed Zocor (simvastatin)...


Statin articles, listed by subject
Why many doctors mistakenly think statins are "exceptionally safe":
-'Statins caused my kidney failure'
-It's official: Statin proponents have lost their minds!

Statins: Cognitive side effects
-Doubts raised over drugs for cholesterol: Side effects have included lost memory in some patients
-Statins and memory loss: excerpt from the book Lipitor®, Thief of Memory, by Dr. Duane Graveline
-Dr. Jay S. Cohen's interview with Dr. Duane Graveline
-The Statin Dialogues: Side Effects of Lipitor and similar statins
-CBS News: Statins' Mind-Boggling Effects
-2003 Study: Statin-Associated Memory Loss: Analysis of 60 Case Reports and Review of the Literature

Statins and muscle damage
-2001 case study: Fatal rhabdomyolysis caused by lipid-lowering therapy
-2002 Study: Muscle damage from statins occurs despite normal creatine kinase test results!
-Public Citizen Petitions FDA to Warn Doctors, Patients About Cholesterol Drugs
-Call to ban anti-cholesterol drug
-Do Not Use! Rosuvastatin (Crestor) - A New But More Dangerous Cholesterol Lowering 'Statin' Drug
-Crestor claims its first victim
-Cases of Kidney Failure, Muscle Damage Should Prompt FDA to Ban Crestor(rosuvastatin)
-2001 case study: Statins may also cause tendon damage.

Statins and liver toxicity
-It's official: Statin proponents have lost their minds!

How effective are statins?
-Researchers show cholesterol-lowering drugs are useless for women!
-Statin Drugs - A Critical Review of the Risk/Benefit Clinical Research
-Lipitor, Zocor, et al: The true story
-PROVE-IT and beyond
-PROVE IT - proved what?

What your doctor doesn't know will hurt you!
-Cholesterol-lowering in the elderly: more harm than good?
-High cholesterol may protect against infection and atherosclerosis
-Statins may cause birth defects

Statins and Co-enzyme Q10 depletion
-Overview of CoQ10 and statins in cardiovascular disease
-Statin-induced cardiomyopathy

Statins and sexual dysfunction
-Do lipid-lowering drugs cause erectile dysfunction? A systematic review.
-Is decreased libido associated with the use of HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitors?
-High dose simvastatin lowers testosterone

Statins and Pancreatitis
-Recurrent acute pancreatitis possibly induced by atorvastatin and rosuvastatin

Coming off statins
-Withdrawal of Statins in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes
-Platelet hyperactivity after statin treatment discontinuation
-Suppression of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Production in Mice After Withdrawal of Statin Treatment

Statins: adverse interactions with other drugs
-Statin Drugs - Interactions and Warnings

Statins: Personal stories
-'Statins caused my kidney failure'
-One man's personal hell caused by statins
-Life after Lipitor

Statins: Money and politics
-Cholesterol skeptics and the bad news about statin drugs
-The $10 Billion Pill
-Over-the-counter statins criticised by leading UK medical journal
-Primary prevention of heart disease with statins: what the evidence really shows
-Where is the Evidence-Based Medicine to justify over-the-counter statins?

Statins: General overviews
-(Almost) Everything You Need to Know About Statin Drugs

'Polypill' madness
-Dr. Peter H. Langsjoen on the 'Polypill'

Related websites
-The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics (THINCS)
-TheOmnivore.com
-Duane 'Space Doc' Graveline, MD, MPH.
-Worst Pills.org
-International Medical Veritas Association
-Stopped Our Statins
-University of California, San Diego Statin Effects Study
-Stop Worrying About Cholesterol!--AvoidHeartAttack.com

Statin message boards
-Taking Lipitor And Hate It (Yahoo group devoted to statin side effects)
-Medications.com