A new study suggests that older men taking the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins appear to be slightly less active than those who do not take them. According to the study, statin users logged about 40 fewer minutes of moderate activity each week compared to nonusers. These findings confirm those of previous studies that found an association between a drop in activity and the use of statin medications such as Lipitor, Pravachol, Crestor, Zocor, Lescol and Vytorin, according to background information in the study. “Statins are extremely helpful for people who need them,” stressed study lead author David Lee, an assistant professor in the department of pharmacy practice at Oregon State University. Lee continued to say that, “the main hypothesis is that people who take a statin do experience an increase in muscle pain. It’s actually the most common side effect. And observational studies have shown that as many as 20 percent of people taking statins will have muscle pain.” Via U.S. News. Posted June 9, 2014.
–Alanna McCatty
