Do statins interfere with memory?
In most reports, the main symptom related to statins was short-term memory loss that occurred a few months after the start of statin therapy or after a dosage increase. Cognitive impairment was usually reversible upon discontinuation of statin therapy.
Does statin use cause memory decline in the elderly?
Statins Don’t Cause Memory Loss in Older Adults, Study Concludes. A new study reports that statins do not cause additional memory loss in older adults. Experts note that some people avoid statins because of concerns over dementia, muscle pain, and diabetes risk.
Do statin drugs cause dementia?
The researchers found that of 300 older adults with mildly impaired thinking and memory, those using “lipophilic” statins were more likely to develop dementia over the next eight years. Lipophilic statins include such widely used medications as simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor) and lovastatin (Altoprev).
Do statins cause transient global amnesia?
A: Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and other statins such as simvastatin and rosuvastatin may sometimes trigger a reaction called transient global amnesia (TGA). This is a sudden loss of memory that may last a few hours or occasionally as long as a day.
What happens if you forget to take your cholesterol medicine?
If you forget to take your dose, do not take an extra one to make up for it. Just take your next dose as usual the following day. If you accidentally take too many statin tablets (more than your usual daily dose), contact a doctor or pharmacist for advice or call NHS 111.
What can you take instead of statins?
7 cholesterol-lowering alternatives to statins
- Fibrates. Mostly used for lowering triglyceride levels in patients whose levels are very high and could cause pancreatitis.
- Plant stanols and sterols.
- Cholestyramine and other bile acid-binding resins.
- Niacin.
- Policosanol.
- Red yeast rice extract (RYRE)
- Natural products.
Does atorvastatin affect the brain?
In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that atorvastatin can exert antioxidant effects in brain independent of its ability to reduce cholesterol and through the activation of the GSH system, which may mediate cognitive benefits.
Is atorvastatin a lipophilic statin?
Lipophilic statins are widely distributed in different tissues, whereas hydrophilic statins are liver specific [14]. Lipophilic statins include atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, cerivastatin and pitavastatin, while hydrophilic statins include rosuvastatin and pravastatin.
What drugs can cause transient global amnesia?
Iatrogenic amnesia is one of the main aetiologies of transient amnesia. Benzodiazepines and anticholinergic drugs are considered to be the drugs most often responsible for iatrogenic amnesia. The impact of drugs in memory disorders is particularly pronounced in elderly people, especially due to polymedication.
What is the difference between a TIA and transient global amnesia?
While transient decrease in blood flow (a transient ischemic attack or “TIA”) to the hippocampus can mimic TGA, TGA usually lasts longer than a typical transient ischemic attack. 1 There is no clear relationship between stroke risk factors and TGA. Some studies suggest that migraines are associated with TGA.
Is there connection between statins and memory loss?
The researchers found no evidence that using statins caused memory loss or dementia. In fact, there was some evidence that long-term statin use may protect against dementia. Scientists believe this is because certain types of dementia are caused by small blockages in blood vessels that carry blood to the brain.
What are the dangers of taking a statin?
They Weaken Your Immune System.
Does memory return after stopping statins?
‘If you look at the best-quality randomised controlled trial where patients don’t know if they are taking a statin or placebo, there is no evidence of memory problems. ‘Even the FDA says the risks of cognitive problems are very small and go away when statins are discontinued.
Did statin cause temporary memory loss?
The results, published today in The Journal of the American Medical Association-Internal Medicine, showed that more patients taking statins did indeed report short-term memory loss in the 30-day period after first taking the drug when compared to people not taking any cholesterol-lowering drugs.