The statin family of drugs are safe and effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Due to a wide range of health benefits in addition to their cholesterol lowering properties, statins have recently attracted significant attention as a new treatment strategy for several conditions. However, as with most things, taking medication such as statins could have some adverse effects including these oral symptoms.
In a study published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, side effects of statins in the oral cavity were looked at.
The studies objective was to analyse the side effects of statins in the mouth cavity, and to analyse the symptoms after interruption of the treatment.
Symptoms pertaining to the oral cavity from statin use included dry mouth patients, itchiness, bitterness in the mouth a cough.
The risks of any side effects have to be balanced against the benefits of preventing serious problems.
A review of scientific studies into the effectiveness of statins found around one in every 50 people who take the medicine for five years will avoid a serious event, such as a heart attack or stroke, as a result.
The Yellow Card Scheme allows you to report suspected side effects from any type of medicine you’re taking.
It’s run by a medicines safety watchdog called the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).