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Alcohol rarely mixes well with medication, but there are some medicines which react more severely with alcohol than others. For those struggling with alcohol addiction, understanding which medications are most dangerous is an important part of risk management until detox and recovery are possible. According to a 2017 study, statins — particularly atorvastatin (Lipitor) — may increase blood vessel constriction in the brain caused by high alcohol use.
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It is the cause of more than a quarter of all deaths in the UK, an average of 450 deaths daily or one every three minutes in the UK. Over 7.6 million people live with heart disease, and it is reasonable to presume that almost all of them are on medications. This could indicate liver problems; it’s also essential to note that statins do interact with other medicines.
What Effects Do Statins Have On the Liver?
Refill medications and get certain necessary prescriptions with K Health from home. It can decrease the stress of LDL cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol, which helps remove cholesterol deposits from your arteries and protects against a heart attack. They work to remove existing cholesterol in the bloodstream by reducing the inflammation in your artery walls. You should also schedule recurring blood tests around the three-month mark to check the health of your liver. However, most of the time these elevations are only temporary and not usually dangerous.
Causes & Risk Factors
For those who have already experienced liver damage as a result of alcohol, statins should not be taken alongside alcohol. Statins can sometimes cause muscle pain, weakness, or, rarely, rapid muscle breakdown. Alcohol can lead to dehydration, impair muscle recovery, and reduce strength. Together, they might amplify alcohol and statins muscle discomfort and elongate recovery times.
- Reyvow has interactions with alcohol, some other drugs, and certain supplements.
- Heavy drinking is also linked with high levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which can further worsen heart health.
- People who take statins and consume alcohol may experience side effects.
- Alcohol, on the other hand, is processed in the liver and can lead to various liver issues, including fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, especially with excessive consumption.
- Heart and circulatory disease are much more prevalent than you might think.
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This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article. Those providing written consent and completing and returning the demographic- and lifestyle-related questionnaire formed the current study population. These side effects may be a sign of muscle damage which can also lead to problems with the kidneys. It is important to speak to your doctor if you notice any of these. You will not only notice lessened side effects with your medication but in general, you will notice an improvement in your health.
However, what you might not be told are the risks that come with using alcohol alongside medications such as statins. When combined, there’s a potential for liver strain that can get more severe over time. Thus, mixing them can increase the burden on the liver and lead to more serious health complications such as liver damage or disease. This article will discuss how liver function is impacted by statins as well as by alcohol, and who should avoid combining the two. It can be helpful to have an honest conversation with your doctor about your alcohol use if you are considering taking statins to manage your cholesterol levels.
The men were randomly assigned to take low- or high-dose lovastatin (Mevacor — the first statin drug). Among the 345 men on high doses, there was no effect of alcohol on the risk of liver inflammation, even in the men who averaged more than two drinks a day. The most common side effects of statin use are muscle pain and inflammation.
Statins or other cholesterol medications work by lowering LDL (low density lipoproteins, or “bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides. They can also raise HDL (high density lipoprotein, or “good” cholesterol). These oral medicines are available as single agents or in combination with other medicines. Several years ago, the FDA recommended regular enzyme testing for statin patients.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Juxtapid (lomitapide) is a medication used in patients with an inherited (genetic) type of high cholesterol known as homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. People taking statins may still be able to consume some alcohol, but not more than 14 units per week. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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Niacin may lower total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides and raise HDL levels. People using statins have reported a few other side effects, but more research is necessary to understand their prevalence and severity. Statins disrupt insulin-signaling pathways and can affect the function of beta cells in the pancreas, which create and release insulin. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss…from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts.
- Eventually, heavy alcohol use can leave the heart too weak to pump efficiently, a condition called congestive heart failure.
- If you have concerns about avoiding alcohol while you’re taking Reyvow, talk with your doctor before starting treatment.
- However, mixing them with alcohol can increase the severity of potential side effects.
- Before you start treatment with Juxtapid, tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
- Statins can increase the risk of developing rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney damage and, eventually, kidney failure.
- However, high alcohol consumption can increase your risk of developing statin side effects, including damage to muscle tissue, called myopathy.
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A few studies have found that people who drink alcohol in moderation have lower rates of heart disease, and might even live longer than those who abstain. Alcohol has also been tied to a lower risk of blood clots and decreased levels of inflammation markers. It’s essential to consult with your healthcare provider about your specific situation with statins and alcohol use. While moderate alcohol consumption might be okay for some, understanding the potential risks ensures you make informed decisions about your health. For some people taking statins, consuming small to moderate amounts of alcohol may be safe. For people with coexisting conditions like liver disease, no amount of alcohol consumption may be safe.