Re: Cognitive problems with simvastatin?


zee wrote:
> Sbharris[atsign]ix.netcom.com wrote:
> > bigjon wrote:
> > > Ask your doctor about Fibrates or Bezafibrates, they do a better job on the
> > > triglycerides (VLDL-triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol,
> > > HDL-cholesterol)and with no major side effects. All I know to be wary of
> > > with them is Hepatic or renal dysfunction, including primary biliary
> > > cirrhosis, or a Pre-existing gallbladder disease...
> > >
> > > Jon
> > > Not a Dr.
> > > A former Statin Victim
> >
> >
> > COMMENT:
> >
> > And not a very good advice-giver. Taking a fibrate is out of the frying
> > pan and into the fire. All the criticisms leveled at statins which
> > turned out not to be true of statins (increased cancer in human
> > studies, no decrease in cardiac mortality, no decrease in total
> > mortality), actually ARE true of fibrates. It's extremely ironic that
> > we should have people recommending fibrates over statins on the basis
> > of non-primary and intermediate endpoints, like lipid changes. That was
> > the argument used for the statins before the really big study results
> > came in, and you-all had no problem finding the logical and clinical
> > problem with that kind of thinking. How now?
> >
> > If you've had brain problems you think are due to a statin, take
> > pravachol which doesn't get into the brain. According to the
> > literature, there is little difference between first-generation statins
> > in their propensity to cause rhabdomyolysis, but I cannot find any
> > primary evidence that this is actually true. Pravachol muscle problems
> > are limited to a few case-reports, and are not very believable.
> > Pravachol actual package insert warnings are based on muscle problems
> > from the stain CLASS, not problems with pravachol itself in the 4S,
> > WOSCOPS or PROSPER trials. In WOSCOPS the *total* mortality reduction
> > due to pravastatin was 22-24%, more or less in line with the reduction
> > seen with simvastain in HPS. Ask your doc to find you similar
> > statistics for any fibrate. So what if he has Tricor from the drug rep?
> > Are you grown-up enough to know what that means?
> >
> > SBH
>
>
>
> "Pravachol muscle problems are limited to a few case-reports, and are
> not very believable. Pravachol actual package insert warnings are based
> on muscle problems from the stain CLASS, not problems with pravachol
> itself..."
>
>
>
> >From the cite below: "...pravastatin was introduced. Symptoms
> recurred..."
>
> Annals of Internal Medicine. 17 June 2003. Comments and responses:
>
> "TO THE EDITOR: We read with interest the article by Phillips and
> colleagues (1) and the accompanying editorial (2). One of us (Dr.
> Torgovnick) developed low-grade myopathy while receiving statin
> therapy. Atorvastatin, 5 mg (0.5 tablet), was started in September
> 1999. Nonspecific aches and pains were noticed, but no clear weakness
> was evident and Dr. Torgovnick continued regular exercise. On
> several occasions, a burning sensation beyond what was anticipated
> developed in the muscles after exercise. Low-grade myopathy was
> considered in June 2000, and creatine kinase level was checked. The
> result, 3.14 kat/L, was normal (reference range, 0 to 3.34 kat/L),
> and atorvastatin therapy was continued.
>
> In early May 2002, 24 hours after exercise, creatine kinase level
> was checked and was found to be 4.8 kat/L. Atorvastatin was withdrawn,
> and the aches, pains, and burning sensation gradually resolved.
> After vigorous exercise, several weeks after atorvastatin was
> discontinued, the creatine kinase level was 3.19 kat/L. On a repeated
> test, serum cholesterol level was significantly elevated and
> pravastatin was introduced. Symptoms recurred but were tolerated.
> While Dr. Torgovnick was taking pravastatin, the creatine kinase
> level was 4.98 kat/L shortly after exercise.
> ~~~~~
>
>
> I had muscle problems from pravachol, have seen adverse event reports
> on Health Canada database documenting pravachol induced muscle
> problems, and read here sci.med.cardiology posters saying they have had
> pravachol induced muscle problems.
>
> Zee


As I said, plenty of cases reports. But too rare for any good stats
that I can find (would be grateful for a cited actual risk figure).

"Symptoms recurred but were tolerated...?" Boy, these Russians are
tough.

SBH

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Cognitive problems with simvastatin?
    ... > turned out not to be true of statins (increased cancer in human ... actually ARE true of fibrates. ... > pravachol which doesn't get into the brain. ... > Pravachol actual package insert warnings are based on muscle problems ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Re: Low Dose Lipitor & Zocor Triggered Muscle Pain - Whats Next?
    ... I am in the high risk category with four very old bypasses. ... Have been on various statins for about 17 years...since the first one was approved. ... I have since tested Lipitor 5 mg and Zocor 10 mg and muscle problems do reoccur so Lipitor and Zocor are unusable. ... If Pravachol unsuccessful because of muscle problems, ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Re: Cognitive problems with simvastatin?
    ... turned out not to be true of statins (increased cancer in human ... mortality), actually ARE true of fibrates. ... pravachol which doesn't get into the brain. ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Re: Cognitive problems with simvastatin?
    ... >> Ask your doctor about Fibrates or Bezafibrates, they do a better job on the ... > turned out not to be true of statins (increased cancer in human ... actually ARE true of fibrates. ... > pravachol which doesn't get into the brain. ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Re: Pravochol versus Lipitor Price
    ... >>Anyone know why Pravachol is almost twice as expensive than Lipitor? ... Hopefully, the muscle problems will ... Muscle problems on statins: ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)