Oxford Study: Most Statin Side Effects Not Caused by Drug

A new study led by researchers at the University of Oxford has concluded that most side effects commonly attributed to statins, widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs, are not caused by the medications themselves. The findings, published in The Lancet, analyzed data from 19 randomized clinical trials involving more than 120,000 participants followed for an average of 4.5 years. The review compared outcomes among statin users and those receiving placebo pills, revealing no significant excess risk for the majority of reported issues.

Statins, available as inexpensive generics, reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by up to half and lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes by about 25 percent. They are recommended for people at high cardiovascular risk, including those with high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or a family history of heart disease. However, fears of side effects have contributed to widespread underuse. In the United Kingdom, millions of eligible patients do not take the drugs, while in the United States, many who start discontinue them prematurely, according to experts involved in the research.

The analysis examined 66 potential side...