ON A STATIN???…YOU MAY BE PROTECTED FROM EBOLA

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As those of you who read my blog know, STATIN medications like Lipitor, Zocor, Pravachol, and Crestor have been shown to have potential benefits in reducing complications of pneumonia and sespsis (overwhelming bloostream infection).  I have posted about this in the past….READ>>>>HERE<<<< Now, some researchers are suggesting a broad use of these medications to prevent …

MORE ENCOURAGING NEWS FOR NOVEL CHOLESTEROL MEDICATION

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An injectable cholesterol medication, known as PCSK9 inhibitors, are emerging as an effective treatment for those who cannot tolerate statins like Lipitor, or who cannot achieve goal levels of cholesterol with standard medication. A spate of new studies published at the American College of Cardiology meetings show that these forms of medication are safe, effective …

STATIN COMPETITOR ON THE HORIZON

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Statins (Lipitor, Crestor & others)  are effective, safe, and have been shown to prevent heart attacks and strokes.  Now, a new competitor is potentially coming to market, as it continues to show promise in lowering bad (LDL) cholesterol by 50-66%.  This group of medications are called anti-PSCK9 agents  & include Amgen’s evolocumab, alirocumab from Sanofi …

THE PENDULUM SWINGS BACK!

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The latest guidelines for cholesterol treatment have been changed once again, and this time in  good direction. Rather than focusing on ‘goal numbers’ the the measure of success, the newest guidelines for cholesterol treatment take a more moderate approach, and focus on getting the ‘right’ people on medication and lowering their cholesterol effectively, if not …

STATINS AND MEMORY….GOOD NEWS

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I hear from patients that they have concerns that statins (cholesterol lowering medication like Lipitor, Zocor, etc…) can cause memory loss and that they have read this in the paper.  This question has been raised at times and the information is mixed. On one hand, as a strong medication to prevent stroke, it is thought …

A PATIENT ASKS ABOUT VITAMIN D TO HELP WITH MUSCLE PAIN FROM STATIN MEDICATIONS….AND I RESPOND

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Doctor Lakin…can you give me your thoughts re: interaction between Crestor and Vitamin D (1000 units)…I have been taking both daily for a while as I heard that Vitamiin D will help stave off the muscular pain produced from the statin………R.S. RS;  Had not seen such data until you mentioned it.  There is one article …

STATINS SHOW PROMISE FOR INFECTIONS

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Statin medications such as Lipitor, Crestor, and Zocor are used to prevent heart attacks and strokes, but there has been evidence that they can prevent injury and death from serious infection. The data has been mixed on this topic, and a recent report supports the use of these medications, particularly for people already on the …

GOOD NEWS FOR STATIN USERS ADDS UP

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A large Danish study demonstrates a reduced cancer risk in people on statin medications like Lipitor.  This good news should be interpreted with some caution as study does have some limitations, but the fact that the medication did not show an increase risk of cancer issues is great news for those millions of us on …

CHECK YOUR SUGAR IF YOU ARE ON A STATIN

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Recent reports have confirmed that statin medications, like Zocor and Lipitor, do increased a person’s risk for developing diabetes over their lifetime.  This is an important issue and any negatives from the medication need to be weighed against their positives. For cholesterol medications, in most instances, the benefits ‘do’ outweigh the negatives.  A recent study …

STATIN SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS ARE CLEARCUT…SO DON’T STOP YOUR PILLS!

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Statin medications (LIPITOR, MEVACOR, PRAVACHOL, ZOCOR, CRESTOR) have been around for 25 years and have a proven track record of effectiveness and safety. No drug is perfect and these drugs are no exception, but the recent concerns that are raised for use of these medications are important, but should not disuade patients of using them …

STATINS AND INFECTION…THE JURY IS STILL OUT

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Statin medications, like Lipitor, Zocor, and Crestor, have been shown in some studies to prevent infection or death from serious infection. This has been one of the ‘added’ benefits I’ve touted for people who were ‘on the fence’ about trying these medications to treat their cholesterol. Unfortunately, in this large study reviewing the history of …