Statins are the largest selling class of prescription drugs on earth, and account for over 40% of all cardiovascular medications. Lipitor, for example, at over $26 billion in global sales, is the world’s biggest selling drug, manufactured by the world’s biggest pharmaceutical company, Pfizer. Because of their effectiveness in managing cholesterol levels, statins are often prescribed both to lower total cholesterol and to reduce risks of heart attack or stroke. Most people who are prescribed statins will take them for the rest of their lives (making statins a dream product for all pharmaceutical companies) and which, according to Mayo Clinic cardiologists, can mean statin side effects are difficult to manage.

For some people who cannot tolerate statins, their side effects can make it seem like the benefit of taking a statin isn’t worth it. Before you decide to stop taking a statin, discover how side effects can be reduced.  These side effects include:  (more…)