Although consuming alcohol when taking statins has no direct effects on health, both statins and alcohol can impair liver function. Mixing the two also has other associated risks.
According to the latest available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about
Of these individuals, about
In this article, we discuss the risks of consuming alcohol while taking statins. We also look at the other potential side effects and risks associated with taking statins.
Although taking the two together has no direct risks, both statins and alcohol can impair liver function and cause tissue damage. Mixing alcohol and statins can, therefore, increase the burden on the liver, potentially raising the risk of liver damage or disease.
Heavy alcohol consumption can also
- muscle problems
- liver problems
- kidney problems
Statins may also worsen diseases associated with excessive or chronic alcohol consumption. In a
People taking statins may still be able to consume some alcohol, but not more than 14 units per week.
Before taking statins, it is important to talk with a doctor about alcohol consumption habits and how much alcohol is safe to drink.
It is often not safe for people with liver disease or dysfunction to take statins.
A doctor may run blood tests to assess someone’s liver health before prescribing statins. In some cases, they may also run blood tests 3 and 12 months after someone starts taking a statin to ensure that the drug is not harming their liver.
Most people tolerate statins well. However, these medications do have side effects in some people. These can include:
Musculoskeletal side effects
Nearly all statins can cause muscle problems, such as:
- Myalgia: Muscle pain is the most common side effect of statins, affecting
1–10% of people using these medications. - Myotosis: Some people may experience muscle inflammation.
- Rhabdomyolysis: Although this condition affects
less than 0.1% of people taking statins, it is the most serious adverse effect. It occurs when muscle tissues die and release the protein myoglobin, which can block tubing in the kidney and cause kidney failure. Possible signs and symptomsinclude :- muscle pain, cramps, or aches
- dark or tea-colored urine
- unexplained exhaustion or weakness
- dehydration
Liver inflammation
Around
When liver failure does occur, symptoms include:
- yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes
- upper abdominal pain
- unexplained exhaustion or weakness
- dark-colored urine
- reduced appetite
Type 2 diabetes
Statins disrupt insulin-signaling pathways and can affect the function of beta cells in the pancreas, which create and release insulin. Statins may also increase insulin resistance.
By some estimates, about
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
- increased thirst and urine production
- unexplained exhaustion
- unexplained weight loss
- increased hunger
- blurry vision
- poor circulation
- reduced healing time from infections or wounds
Kidney side effects
Statins can increase the risk of developing rhabdomyolysis, which
Statins can also increase the risk of developing benign proteinuria, a condition in which there is excess protein in the urine.
Symptoms include:
- foamy, bubbly, or frothy-looking urine
- swelling in the feet, hands, feet, abdomen, or face
- urine that is a different color than normal or has an unusual smell
Pancreatitis
Taking statins
- mild-to-severe pain that begins slowly or suddenly in the upper abdomen, can spread to the back, and lasts for several days
- fever
- fast heartbeat
- swelling or tenderness in the abdomen
- nausea and vomiting
People using statins have reported a few other side effects, but more research is necessary to understand their prevalence and severity.
Other potential side effects associated with statins include:
- peripheral neuropathy, which is pain, weakness, and numbness in the hands and feet
- irritability
- mood changes
- cognitive dysfunction, which can involve memory loss or impairment, confusion, and amnesia
- shortness of breath
- interstitial lung disease, which can cause shortness of breath, mild chest pain, dry cough, and reduced appetite
Statins can also interact with several other medications or foods, increasing the risk of negative side effects. These substances
- grapefruit juice
- diclofenac (Voltaren)
- amiodarone (Cordarone)
- protease inhibitors
- azole antifungals
- macrolide antibiotics
- cyclosporin (Gengraf)
- metronidazole (Flagyl)
- gemfibrozil (Lopid)
- verapamil (Calan)
- tacrolimus (Prograf)
- colchicine (Colcrys)
- sildenafil (Viagra)
- fibrates
Most people tolerate statins fairly well. When people do experience side effects from taking statins, they are typically minor and resolve once a person stops taking the statins or changes their dosage.
More serious complications can sometimes occur. A person should contact a doctor if any of the following symptoms occur:
- unexplained muscle pain or weakness
- darkened or tea-colored urine
- yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes
- upper abdominal pain
- loss of appetite
- unexplained exhaustion
Statins and alcohol do not directly interact. However, heavy alcohol consumption can increase the risk of several side effects associated with statins — in particular, liver damage and muscle problems.
People who drink alcohol regularly should discuss their consumption habits with a doctor before taking statins to reduce the risk of complications.