523 The Dark Side of Statins

Cholesterol lowering drugs like Lipitor, Zocor and Crestor are the most successful drugs in the world. They bring down bad LDL cholesterol almost like magic and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Some physicians believe these statin drugs can reduce the risk of dementia, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, depression, glaucoma and prostate cancer. The enthusiasm is such that some doctors have suggested the drugs should be in the water supply. But is there a darker side to statins? Some people report debilitating muscle pain and weakness, even though their laboratory results are within the normal range. Others complain about frightening memory problems. How can people balance benefits against risks? Guests: Duane Graveline, MD, flight surgeon, former astronaut and author of "Lipitor: Thief of Memory"; Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD, Director of the UCSD Statin Study; Stephen Sinatra, MD, cardiologist and author of "The Sinatra Health Report".