Rise of Ezetimibe Provides Patients New Cholesterol Drug Options

 Posted on December 17, 2014 in Defective Prescription Drugs

The results from a new six year study may bring hope for those who have been forced to use dangerous drugs like statins to lower their cholesterol levels.

Whereas statins reduce LDL cholesterol by preventing it from being made, ezetimibe achieves the same result by preventing LDL cholesterol from being absorbed. The study, discussed at the annual meeting of theAmerican Heart Association, separated subjects into two groups – a group given statins and a group given the new drug ezetimibe. The statin group ended with an LDL of 69, while the ezetimibe group had an average LDL of 54. The second group also suffered 6.4 percent fewer cardiac incidents, such as heart attacks, strokes, and severe chest pain. One prominent observer called the outcome “fantastic” and “a truly spectacular result for patients.”

Statins

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning about cholesterol-reducing drugs like Crestor, Lipitor, Zocor and other similar products. Although these drugs are effective in reducing LDL cholesterol levels in many patients, these dangerous drugs can have some very serious side effects, including:

• Liver Damage: To help prevent cholesterol from forming, statins cause the liver to produce more enzymes. Sometimes the increase is negligible, but sometimes the elevated enzyme level can lead to abdominal pain, severe fatigue and loss of appetite, and dark-colored urine.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Statins increase blood sugar levels, and the pancreas may not be able to produce enough insulin to handle the additional sugar. Patients are advised to keep a close watch on their blood sugar and insulin levels.
• Cognitive Impairment: Some patients reported feeling “fuzzy” or confused. The side effect has touched all age groups. Tellingly, patients who stop or reduce their statin intake while under a doctor's care report that these side effects vanished within just a few weeks.
• Muscle Pain: This is the most common side effect. The soreness or tiredness can range from moderate discomfort to debilitating pain. Victims often have trouble walking or climbing stairs; some also develop rhabdomyolysis, which is a potentially fatal condition.

Though millions of people worldwide still take statins, more and more doctors are limiting their prescriptions of these drugs, due to the dangerous side effects. If you or a loved one has ingested a statin and suffered from side effects, contact an attorney straightaway to discuss any right to recovery you may have.

No one should have to suffer from a drug's side effects. Contact our office for a free phone consultation with an Arlington Heights dangerous drug attorney.