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February 6, 2026 \u2014 10:30am<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n Save this article for later<\/p>\n Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n Got it<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n The cholesterol-lowering drugs statins do not cause the vast majority of so-called side effects listed on their packaging, including memory loss, sexual dysfunction and depression, a major review of the most robust evidence shows.<\/p>\n The findings of a meta-analysis published on Friday shatter the diehard misinformation responsible for tens of thousands of Australians stopping or refusing to start taking the lifesaving medication, leading to potentially preventable heart attacks and strokes.<\/p>\n The UK- and Australia-led research team behind the meta-analysis now wants regulators to change the drugs\u2019 labels.<\/p>\n The team compiled 19 randomised double-blind controlled trials that compared the effects of statins, and four trials comparing more and less intensive statin regimens. The analysis included results from more than 154,000 participants and 38 million symptom reports.<\/p>\n \u201cWe found there is no significant excess risk with statins for almost all the conditions listed in statin package leaflets as possible side effects,\u201d said lead author, Associate Professor Christina Reith at Oxford Population Health.<\/p>\n The meta-analysis found no strong evidence to support sixty-two or the 66 conditions or symptoms currently listed as side effects for statins.<\/p>\n Related Article There was no increase in memory loss or dementia, depression, sleep disturbance, erectile dysfunction, weight gain, nausea, fatigue or headache, and several other conditions, the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists\u2019 Collaboration reported in The Lancet on Friday.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can say now that statins are not the cause of the vast majority of medical issues listed as potential side effects in statin patient information leaflets, and this means that the benefits of statins in reducing major events like heart attacks and strokes significantly outweigh their risks,\u201d Reith said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not to say that people taking statins don\u2019t or didn\u2019t experience these symptoms \u2013 some of them did,\u201d Reith said, but they were not more likely to experience these symptoms than those who did not take the medication.<\/p>\n For example, the proportion of people reporting cognitive or memory impairment each year was 0.2 per cent in both groups.<\/p>\n An estimated 6.5 million Australians have high cholesterol. More than 2 million Australians are prescribed statins, which work by lowering levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or bad cholesterol, to significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks, stroke and other conditions when prescribed in line with clinical guidelines.<\/p>\n Who are statins for?<\/p>\n In Australia, statins are prescribed to individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease. This can include people with:<\/p>\n previous heart attacks or strokeshigh LDL cholesteroltype 2 diabeteschronic kidney diseasemultiple risk factors like smoking, obesity, or high blood pressurea strong family history of early heart diseasecertain genetic conditions can cause extremely high cholesterol, like familial hypercholesterolemia.<\/p>\n The decision to prescribe statins is always made by a healthcare professional, such as a cardiologist or GP, after a comprehensive assessment of an individual\u2019s unique risk profile, lifestyle and overall health.<\/p>\n The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme heavily subsidises statins.<\/p>\n Source: Victor Chang Institute<\/p>\n Anthony Keech, a co-author, cardiologist and professor of medicine, cardiology and epidemiology at the University of Sydney, said blaming statins for a patient\u2019s symptoms stops doctors and patients from finding the real cause of the problem.<\/p>\n \u201cIf someone has depression or erectile dysfunction, then don\u2019t look at the statin, go and find the real cause and treat it effectively,\u201d Keech said.<\/p>\n The meta-analysis found a small increased risk (about 0.1 per cent) of liver blood test abnormalities with statins, but no increase in liver disease, such as hepatitis or liver failure.<\/p>\n Reith said the team had discussions with national regulators to revise statin drug labels and information leaflets. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n Professor Garry Jennings, chief medical adviser at the Heart Foundation, said people\u2019s decisions about whether to take statins were being driven by conversations with friends and relatives at pubs and barbecue.<\/p>\n \u201cAs soon as you say \u2018I\u2019m on a statin\u2019, someone\u2019s going to say, \u2018Oh, my God, I had terrible muscle pains\u2019 or something like that,\u201d Jennings said.<\/p>\n He pointed to several studies that found disinformation or misinformation in media reports about statins\u2019 side effects had led to an increase in heart attack rates after people stopped taking their statins.<\/p>\n One study found a 2013 ABC report<\/a> critical of statins \u2013 subsequently removed for breaching impartiality standards \u2013 led to an immediate 2.6 per cent drop in statins dispensing, roughly 60,897 fewer Australians taking statins over eight months and a projected 1500-2900 preventable and potentially fatal heart attacks and strokes over five years.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cThe potential for this disinformation to actually cost lives is there and [is] really important,\u201d Jennings said.<\/p>\n One line of questioning Keech poses to patients hesitant about statins: \u201cDo you want to see your kids get married? Do you want to be around for the grandkids?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, please keep taking your statin because it\u2019s so important to you still being here in a good condition, no strokes, no disability, no heart failure, no more heart attacks,\u201d he tells them.<\/p>\n Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia, responsible for more than one in four of all deaths.<\/p>\n The collaborative previously reported that statins caused muscle symptoms in only 1 per cent of people, largely during the first year of treatment, and a small increase in blood sugar levels, so people already at high risk of diabetes may develop the condition sooner on statins.<\/p>\n Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox<\/a> every Monday.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Statins](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8e915dd8eac44dc4051ed9d11c4f3c80486c272a.jpeg\")
Statins are the most commonly prescribed medications in Australia.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Composite](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a1574741fd25400781fc6ca2226f9e4e9e7ee864.jpeg\")
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