Statins are a commonly prescribed medication to help people lower their cholesterol. While some people can control their cholesterol levels by making dietary changes and exercise, some need the help of these prescription medications. Statins have in the past been linked with the risk of serious muscle damage, and the risk of kidney or liver damage. Individual statins also have their own side-effects. One new study indicates that people who are prescribed statins may be at increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, as WebMD reports.
A new study suggests that people who are prescribed statins may be at increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Using medical records from over 4,000 U.S. adults, both with and without Parkinson’s, a team discovered that those taking statins had a higher risk of developing the disease. Digging deeper, it was determined that statins that are fat-soluble rather than water-soluble were responsible for the increased risk.
Fat-soluble statins include the brand names Lipitor, Lescol, and Zocor.
However, that does not mean that the drugs themselves are causing the Parkinsons. People who are prescribed statins to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease should not stop taking their medications.
People with higher cholesterol levels have shown a decreased risk of developing Parkinson’s, but more research needs to be conducted to determine what connection there is between the use of statins and Parkinson’s disease.
One theory is that the statins could cause a more rapid progression from the early stages, where symptoms are not as obvious.
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