- Seven types of statins have been linked to a muscle-weakening condition
- Patients should be wary of drooping eyelids and double vision, watchdog warned
Millions of Britons taking cholesterol-lowering drugs should be wary of a potentially deadly side effect, health chiefs have warned.
Seven types of statins, including the five distributed in the UK, have been linked to myasthenia gravis, a long-term condition that weakens muscles and can be life-threatening in severe cases.
Patients taking the pill once a day should watch out for symptoms such as drooping eyelids, double vision and difficulty swallowing, the medicines watchdog warned.
Atorvastatin, sold under the brand name Lipitor, pravastatin (Lipostat) and lovastatin (Mevacor), which dramatically reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes, are among the varieties of statins affected.
Cases of myasthenia gravis have also been detected among patients taking fluvastatin (Lescol), simvastatin (Zocor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and pitavastatin (Livalo).
Seven types of statins have been linked to myasthenia gravis, a long-term muscle-weakening condition that can be life-threatening in severe cases.
New advice from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) says a “very small number” of cases of myasthenia gravis have been linked to the use of statins.
Around 8 million Britons take statins, which are normally taken to raise cholesterol levels. The complication is believed to be “very rare”, the MHRA said.
Most patients who suffered the side effect recovered after stopping taking the medication, but a minority continued to suffer from the symptoms.
Some of those who restarted their medication or tried a different type of statin reported that their symptoms returned.
The MHRA told doctors to refer patients suffering from new-onset myasthenia gravis after starting statins to a neurology specialist.
And patients who already have the condition should monitor their symptoms for worsening while taking the medications.
Patients may need to stop taking statins depending on their individual benefits and risks, the watchdog said.
The warning comes after the European Medicines Agency in January ordered drugmakers behind seven types of statins to amend their package inserts to include a warning about myasthenia gravis.
The MHRA said this review was considered by one of its sub-committees, which agreed with the recommendations.
He said statin makers will have to explain that there is a risk of myasthenia gravis but that “it is not known” how common it is.
Statins work by reducing levels of “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol produced by the liver.
Too much LDL cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis (when arteries harden and narrow), heart attacks, strokes, and heart disease.
Britons diagnosed with a form of cardiovascular disease or those who have a family history of the condition may be recommended the drug.
Headaches, nausea, and diarrhea are well-known mild side effects of taking statins. But the MHRA warning adds myasthenia gravis to the list.
The condition usually weakens the muscles that control the eyes, eyelids, facial expressions, chewing, swallowing and speaking.
Common symptoms include difficulty making facial expressions, difficulty speaking, difficulty breathing.
To relieve symptoms, medications to increase muscle strength and surgery to remove a small gland in the chest that has been linked to myasthenia gravis may be offered.
While the condition does not affect the life expectancy of most people, it can be life-threatening if it weakens the muscles needed for breathing.
