High-dose statins 'raise risk of serious kidney problems'

[Northerner]

High-dose statins taken by millions of people are putting them at increased risk of potentially fatal kidney problems, researchers are warning.

Taking strong doses of simvastatin, atorvastatin or rosuvastatin increases the risk of being hospitalised with a condition called acute kidney injury, or AKI, by 34 per cent on average, found the Canadian team.

AKI is when the kidneys ?suddenly fail to work as they should?, according to the Kidney Alliance, and causes anywhere between 62,000 and 210,000 deaths a year in Britain.

It is more common in those with long-term health conditions like heart failure, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
Between five and seven million people take cholesterol-lowering statins in Britain, mostly over 60.

The vast majority take simvastatin, the cheapest type, although some take others including atorvastatin, better known by its brand name Lipitor, and rosuvastatin, sold as Crestor. These latter two are more potent, requiring smaller doses for the same effect.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/h...ns-raise-risk-of-serious-kidney-problems.html

 

[Vicsetter]

You can add this one to that: Statins side effects warning when combined with other drugs: regulator
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/h...when-combined-with-other-drugs-regulator.html

The side effects are those usually associated with statins, including muscle problems such as pain, tenderness, weakness and cramps and more rarely muscle breakdown leading to kidney damage.

These occurred more frequently when patient were on both drugs at the same time.

Regulators have said patients taking the combination should not stop them and talk to their doctor at their next routine appointment.

 

[LeeLee]

The reporting of the original article is covered here:

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2013/03March/Pages/Low-risk-of-kidney-damage-from-high-dose-statins.aspx