Physicians know that high cholesterol levels increase a person’s risk of suffering a cardiovascular event. Drugs that lower these levels are called “statins,” and physicians prescribe them when changing the patient’s diet and adding an exercise regimen do not work. But problems have been reported with statin side effects.
A Recent Canadian Research Study
The Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies (CNODES) conducted research on statins and found that one of the main statin side effects is an increased risk of diabetes. Researchers studied 136,966 patient records for people in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada who experienced a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular events. Following their medical episodes, their physicians prescribed Lipitor or other statins at high doses.
According to CNODES, if you begin taking Lipitor in high doses after suffering a heart attack or stroke, you will have a 15 percent higher risk of developing diabetes than a patient who was prescribed a lower dose.
What the Researchers Are Saying
Researchers co-authored a paper outlining their findings, and lead author Dr. Colin Dormuth stated that physicians must be aware that medications like Lipitor have statin side effects that can be very serious in the population that he and his colleagues studied. The researchers believe that statins are saving people’s lives, but they can have disastrous effects when they are over-prescribed. Co-author Dr. Lorraine Lipscombe stated that physicians prescribe higher doses of statin drugs after cardiovascular events more often than they do not but that a large portion of this population may require a lower dose.
What Government Agencies Have Said
In 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began to require that manufacturers apply warning labels to their bottles that inform patients of statin side effects. One of the statin side effects is the drug’s propensity to increase blood sugar levels. In 2013, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology wrote new guidelines that resulted in more people taking statins.
Have You Been Injured by Lipitor?
If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to Lipitor or another statin, you may consider taking legal action against the manufacturer. Cardiologists are concerned about the American Heart Association’s new guidelines because they do not take into consideration the fact that women derive fewer benefits from taking statins. Furthermore, women reportedly suffer greater statin side effects than men. Contact Attorney Group today to set up a free, no obligation consultation. We can discuss your legal options, help determine if you have a claim, and connect you with an affiliated attorney. Contact us today to learn more.
