What are statins? The uses and side effects of cholesterol medication

Recent research suggests that the majority of side effects commonly linked to statins are not, in fact, caused by the medication itself.

A comprehensive study, published in The Lancet, examined data from 123,940 individuals who were monitored for an average of 4.5 years after starting treatment. These participants were part of 19 clinical trials that compared the effects of statins to a placebo.

Researchers concluded that there was no significant increased risk associated with statins for almost all conditions listed as potential side effects in package leaflets, including depression, sleep problems, fatigue, and headaches.