, simvastatin (Zocor), Fluvastatin (lescol), pravastatin (lipostat) and rosuvastatin (Crestor). The drug has helped to significantly lower levels of cholesterol in countless patients. Although mostly well-tolerated, the drug can come with a few unusual side effects. Cases of hair loss and itchy rashes on the body have been reported. Hair loss Hair loss, or alopecia, is a very rare side effect from statin drugs. 'Widely prescribed in the treatment of high cholesterol, statins work by blocking the action of an enzyme the liver uses to make cholesterol," says Harvard Health. The health site added: 'About 1% of people taking statins report hair loss. This figure hasn't changed since 1987, when statins were introduced.' It remains unclear why statins may affect a person's hair. Statins may affect the steroid hormone, which in turn causes hair loss ( Getty Images/iStockphoto) 'But we do know that cholesterol is an important building block for steroid hormones, which play a role in hair growth,' the site added. In a study published in the American Journal of Medicine, alopecia associated with atorvastatin was investigated. The research involved a case study of a 38-year-old woman who was administered furosemide (40mg), prednisone (60mg), benazepril (10mg), and atorvastatin (10mg) daily. The patient's cholesterol levels were reduced, however, two weeks later, the patient complained of progressive hair loss. 'Benazepril was continued to control proteinuria,){kind=link}
Statins are used by millions of people throughout the world to help lower their risk of serious health conditions. Side effects reported from the drug may include hair loss and itchy skin
Statins are a type of drug used to help treat high levels of cholesterol in a person’s body to further help reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Over 71 million prescription items were dispensed back in 2018.
There are a number of different statin types, namely atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), Fluvastatin (lescol), pravastatin (lipostat) and rosuvastatin (Crestor).
The drug has helped to significantly lower levels of cholesterol in countless patients.