Statins lipid-lowering drugs, such as simvastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, Xuezhikang, etc., have been properly Properly become the most famous “drug star” nowadays. The reasons behind this are nothing more than two points. The first is that there are more patients with hyperlipidemia, and blood lipids are reduced by taking statin lipid-lowering drugs; the second is that there are many patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Drugs lower blood lipids, thereby controlling the occurrence and development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Because of these two reasons, more and more people are taking statins.
However, what problems do we need to pay attention to when taking statins? At this point, I want to explain a common side effect of statins in detail, which is muscle damage, and severe muscle damage can even damage the kidneys. Therefore, everyone who eats statins must read this article.
Taking statin lipid-lowering drugs, and regular daily inspections, it is necessary to routinely check an indicator called creatine kinase. If this indicator is high, it must be dealt with accordingly.
1. Assessed by creatine kinase
Speaking of creatine kinase, this indicator actually reflects the damage to muscles caused by statin lipid-lowering drugs. Some people feel muscle pain after taking statins, especially in large muscle groups such as thighs and buttocks. At this time, it is necessary to check creatine kinase. If the test result is elevated, it should be divided into 3 cases to be treated differently at this time:
Creatine kinase is elevated, but the value is less than 4 times the upper limit of normal. At this time, it depends on the patient’s symptoms. If the symptoms are obvious, you can consider adjusting the statin regimen. If symptoms are not obvious, further observation can be made.
Creatine kinase is elevated, and the specific value is greater than 4 times the upper limit of normal, but less than 10 times. At this time, it is possible to consider adjusting the use of statin lipid-lowering drugs under the guidance of a doctor.
creatine kinase is elevated, and the specific value is greater than 10 times the upper limit of normal. At this time, rhabdomyolysis cannot be ruled out. It is recommended to stop statin immediately under the guidance of a professional doctor, and be hospitalized for further treatment. Because in this case, severe rhabdomyolysis, greatly increased creatine kinase, and possibly kidney damage, requires hospitalization to be more secure. #Everyone cares about kidney health#
Elevated creatine kinase
2. Pass symptom assessment
And in real life, how do you initially identify that your muscle pain is caused by taking statin lipid-lowering drugs without testing? Dr. Zhang Zhiying summarizes his own experience for everyone: If you experience muscle weakness and soreness after taking statin lipid-lowering drugs, pay attention to this change after taking statin, not before taking statin, At this time, this discomfort cannot be excluded from taking statins.
At the same time, if your discomfort is not from small joints, but mainly from large muscle groups, such as thighs, buttocks, calves, upper arms and other large muscle groups, then this It’s more likely to be it. And this is more likely to be the case if your discomfort is persistent rather than intermittent. And if at the same time your discomfort is bilaterally symmetrical, rather than unilaterally asymmetrical, this is even less of an exception.
Simply summed up in one sentence: uncomfortable symptoms of large muscle groups, such as fatigue and soreness, if they occur after statin consumption and are persistent and bilaterally symmetrical, then Most likely because of muscle damage from statin consumption. At this time, everyone is likely to find a professional doctor for a follow-up examination and adjustment of the drug.
Large muscle group discomfort is obvious
I hope Dr. Zhang Zhiying’s introduction to you today can help you, especially those friends who are taking statin lipid-lowering drugs. At the same time, I hope that everyone has a correct understanding of the benefits and risks of statin lipid-lowering drugs. Although there are various opinions about the side effects of statins on the Internet, for many people, the benefits of taking statins far outweigh the risks. Yes, the key is to use statins under the guidance of a doctor and to review them regularly. And I have to say that most of these side effects caused by statins are reversible and will disappear after stopping the drug, so everyone does not need to mention “statins” to worry about side effects, which is unfounded.