Primary evaluation and management of statin therapy complications.
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have become one of the most commonly prescribed classes of medications in the United States. While serious adverse events are rare, less serious events are frequently seen. Published guidelines recommend initial screening labs as well as ongoing monitoring of liver enzymes during therapy. Up to 5% of patients will have some muscle complaints while taking statins. Therefore, primary care clinicians will often be faced with real or potential complications of statin therapy. There are well established risk factors for development of these complications. Being aware of a patient's risk and using the lowest effective dose minimizes the occurrence of adverse events. The great majority of these abnormalities either do not require discontinuation of therapy or require only brief interruption of therapy. Judicious and systematic use of laboratory testing will minimize needless evaluation and premature discontinuation of statin therapy.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, GA 30509, USA. dseehusen@msn.com
Dean A
DA
Seehusen
Chad A
CA
Asplund
Dawn R
DR
Johnson
Kevin A
KA
Horde
D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology; D012307:Risk Factors
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D003402:Creatine Kinase