Statins are a class of prescription oral medications that include atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin. Doctors prescribe statin drugs to lower levels of low-density lipoproteins or LDL cholesterol in your body.

Function

Cholesterol comes from two sources, your liver and the food you eat. Statins act upon your liver to lower the amount of LDL or "bad" cholesterol your body produces.

Benefits

High LDL cholesterol in your blood may cause fatty deposits to form inside your blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis or the hardening of your arteries that contributes to heart disease. Since they lower your LDL cholesterol, statins reduce your risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke due to atherosclerosis, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Time Frame

Most patients continue taking statins for the rest of their lives as high cholesterol is typically a chronic condition, explains the Mayo Clinic. The dosage and number of times per day you take a statin drug will vary based upon the type of medication your doctor prescribes.

Side Effects

In addition to their benefits, statins may cause unwanted side effects like muscle pain, nausea, diarrhea, skin rashes and flushing. Rarely, use of statins causes more serious side effects like liver damage or rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition where your muscle fibers break down.

Considerations

If you experience side effects from one statin drug, your doctor may prescribe a different statin or modify your dosage to alleviate your symptoms. Pregnant women or individuals with liver disease should not take statins, reports the American Heart Association.

Source:

Mayo Clinics: Statin Side Effects-Weigh the benefits and the risks

American Heart Association: Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs