Taking statin lipid-lowering drugs, pay attention to re-examination of liver function, especially for elevated transaminases and even liver function damage. At this point, China and the United States have different understandings. Whose suggestion do you prefer in front of the mobile phone? The following article will answer this question, please read and judge for yourself:
More and more people are taking statins now, and there are many reasons behind this. On the one hand, there are more and more patients with hyperlipidemia, and these people take statins to lower blood lipids; on the other hand, more and more patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are taking statins to control the development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. So many people take statin, and the problem that comes with it is the possible side effects of taking statin, which is the topic of most concern and concern to everyone. #yao zero zero plan#
Speaking of the possible side effects of statins, in fact, the most common one, and what everyone is most concerned about is liver function damage, that is, the elevation of transaminase. So, how should you correctly view the elevated transaminase and liver damage caused by statin? What are the different understandings of the medical community in China and the United States on this issue? Today, Dr. Zhang will explain it to you in detail.
Take statin, pay attention to review liver function
I. What is the difference between China and the United States in understanding that statins cause liver damage?
Before 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) believed that when taking statin lipid-lowering drugs, the baseline level of transaminase should be checked before taking the drug, and the transaminase should be monitored after taking the drug. This is to see if statins cause liver damage. After 2012, the U.S. FDA believes that routine monitoring of liver function is not necessary after taking the drug, and it can only be checked when the doctor thinks it is necessary.
The China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) does not agree with the US FDA’s recommendation, but still recommends that Chinese doctors need to regularly monitor the blood lipid levels of patients with oral statin lipid-lowering drugs.
How to review, China and the United States have different understandings
Second, taking statin, how much does it make sense to increase transaminase?
Generally speaking, after taking statin lipid-lowering drugs, there is only a mild to moderate increase in transaminase, that is, the increase in transaminase does not exceed 3 times the upper limit of normal. Elevated bilirubin does not indicate substantial liver damage. Because this can only indicate that stem cells are releasing liver enzymes, it does not represent substantial damage to liver cells. There are two situations that require doctors to be particularly vigilant: 1. Transaminase rises more than 3 times; 2. Transaminase rises at the same time as bilirubin rises, especially when bilirubin rises directly. These two situations show that the patient is likely to have substantial damage to the liver cells, and everyone should pay special attention. But we don’t need to be all weeds, because the serious liver damage caused by statin consumption occurs in 1%-2% of the time, and this damage is transient, and can gradually return to normal with the withdrawal of statin. .
Transaminases increased, but not more than 3-fold
3. Who is prone to liver damage when taking statins?
The following three conditions are prone to liver damage when taking statins:
1. People who drink statins will easily damage liver function, which will lead to elevated transaminases;
2. At the same time, you are eating other drugs or foods that are metabolized by the liver, such as atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, try not to eat grapefruit, so as not to cause mutual influence Elevated transaminases;
3. People with fatty liver should be especially alert to the elevation of transaminases when taking statins.
4. How to review transaminase when taking statin?
IChina’s guidelines for the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia believe that liver function should be checked before taking statin, and liver function should be reviewed in the first month after taking statin. If the patient has stabilized, it is recommended to review the liver function every 2-3 months. Very stable patients can even review the liver function every six months. It depends on the specific situation of each individual and should be examined under the guidance of a professional doctor.
All in all, friends who take oral statin lipid-lowering drugs must pay attention to checking liver function, so as to safely and effectively make statins only play a good role without side effects.
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In addition to liver function tests, what should be paid attention to when taking statin lipid-lowering drugs?