Why do doctors prescribe so many statins?

• Fibrates. Mostly used for lowering triglyceride levels in patients whose levels are very high and could cause pancreatitis. ...
• Plant stanols and sterols. ...
• Cholestyramine and other bile acid-binding resins. ...
• Niacin. ...
• Policosanol. ...
• Red yeast rice extract (RYRE) ...
• Natural products.

How many people refuse to take statins?

After analyzing the records, investigators found the following trends: Over 20 percent refused to take statin medications when first offered the medication even though they were all considered high risk. Women were 20 percent more likely than men to refuse initially: 24.1 percent versus 19.7 percent.

Are doctors over prescribing statins?

Statin Therapy May Be Overprescribed in Healthy People Without Evidence of Diseased Arteries, New Study Shows.

Is there a natural substitute for statins?

Some people do not tolerate statins or may want to try natural remedies to treat their high cholesterol. Statin alternatives include some prescription medications like ezetimibe and fibric acids. Natural remedies that some people use to help treat high cholesterol include omega-3 fatty acids and red yeast rice extract.

What is the most commonly prescribed statin drug?

Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

It is still one of the most commonly prescribed statins, and though not as inexpensive as simvastatin (Zocor), the generic price has continued to drop.

What percentage of people have problems with statins?

Now, a new study of over four million patients has shown that the true prevalence of statin intolerance worldwide is between six to ten percent.

What is the best selling statin of all time?

Lipitor was first approved in 1997. While under patent protection it was the highest-selling drug of all time, with worldwide sales at one stage of more than US$12 billion a year.

At what age are statins no longer recommended?

Do not start a statin in patients ages ≥ 75 years who do not have known vascular disease or type 2 diabetes; start or continue a statin in all patients ages 75 to 84 with type 2 diabetes to prevent cardiovascular events and mortality; and start or continue a statin in patients ages > 75 years who have known vascular ...

What happens if you don t take statins for high cholesterol?

If you're taking a statin medication to lower your cholesterol, you will need to keep taking your prescription, or your cholesterol will likely go back up. Stopping your statin can put you at risk of having heart disease and other preventable health problems like stroke and heart attack from high cholesterol.

Do you always have to take statins for life?

You usually have to continue taking statins for life because if you stop taking them, your cholesterol will return to a high level. If you forget to take your dose, do not take an extra one to make up for it. Just take your next dose as usual the following day.

Is statin worth the risk?

We have data now from over 20 statin trials of over 135,000 patients that show statins compared with placebo or no medication result in a 23 percent reduction in heart attacks, 17 percent reduction in fatal or non-fatal stroke and 19 percent reduction in death from cardiovascular causes. So, they definitely work.

What is the new cholesterol drug that is not a statin?

Bempedoic Acid: A Statin Alternative to Reduce Cholesterol

Bempedoic acid is sold under the brand name Nexletol on its own and as a combination drug with ezetimibe called Nexlizet.

Can a person with high cholesterol reverse it without statins?

Most people can lower high cholesterol with lifestyle changes, like prioritizing heart-healthy foods, quitting tobacco products, exercising regularly, and sleeping enough. Making changes to lower your cholesterol might mean you don't need to take cholesterol medication anymore (or deal with the side effects).

What reduces cholesterol quickly naturally?

Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods

Oatmeal has soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears.

Is there a safer alternative to statins?

Along with a healthy diet and exercise, statin alternatives like ezetimibe (Zetia) can be taken with or without statins to help you meet your cholesterol goals. Natural and over-the-counter medications, like fish oil supplements, may also help manage your cholesterol levels.

Which statin is easiest on liver?

Which statin is safest for the liver? A low-dose statin like atorvastatin (Lipitor^®) is safe for most patients, including those with mild liver enzyme abnormalities.