If you drink alcohol in excess, your liver wills secret more enzymes to break it down. However, if long-term statin use is mixed with long-term, heavy alcohol consumption the risks increase exponentially. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Learn more: See alcohol (ethanol) drug interactions with your medication. As a result, some people develop type 2 diabetes as a result of prolonged statin use. We are here for you. Research has shown statins can cause liver injury resulting in a need for liver transplant or death. Alcohol and Statins Alcohol in moderation has been associated with increases in high density lipoproteins (the good cholesterol). And if you do that, you can have your wine and your statin, too. Harvard Health. Below we have listed more severe side-effects to consider: In some cases, statins cause an increase in the enzymes which signal liver inflammation. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, also called statins, are a widely prescribed group of medications used to lower high cholesteroland other lipids (hyperlipidemia) in addition to diet. Your doctor will not only be able to suggest a low-risk treatment option but can offer addiction resources to help you begin the process of recovery. In this section, we help explain what the alcohol rehab process entails, and how we can assist you or a loved one select rehab that’s best suited to your needs. Alcohol and statins have a pharmacodynamic reaction which is particularly concerning as both have an effect on liver function. Remember: both statins and alcohol increase the secretion of live enzymes that may lead to liver damage. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, also called statins, are a widely prescribed group of medications used to lower high cholesterol and other lipids (hyperlipidemia) in addition to diet. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox process. Avoid alcohol at the time of niacin administration due to an. Product Information. In this section, we offer information about the most common forms of addiction affecting society in the UK. However, these are relatively mild side-effects. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 2 Nov 2020), Cerner Multum™ (updated 2 Nov 2020), ASHP (updated 23 Oct 2020) and others. Some of the common statins in the UK include atorvastatin (Lipitor), pravastatin (Lipostat), fluvastatin (Lescol), simvastatin (Zocor), and rosuvastatin (Crestor). [2] As such these are potentially lifesaving medications. Last updated on Dec 10, 2019. Accessed Dec. 10, 2019 at doi: 10.6515/ACS20160611A, HDL cholesterol: How to boost your 'good' cholesterol. 2016 Nov; 32(6): 631–639. In other words, alcohol won’t immediately interfere with or react with the statins in your body. Statins are medications. For example, it can increase sedative effects such as dizziness and sleepiness. [4]. If you are drinking alcohol while taking statins to control or reduce cholesterol, there are certain things that you should keep in mind; If you are struggling with alcohol addiction and have been prescribed statins please be honest with your doctor about your alcohol consumption levels. Things to Remember While Taking Statins and Drinking Alcohol, Food Addiction Rehab & Treatment for Compulsive Overeating, The Definitive Guide to Fentanyl Addiction Recovery, Alcoholism & Native Americans: Knowing the Facts, Statins and alcohol both affect liver function and should not be mixed regularly because their interaction may elevate triglyceride levels, Alcohol abuse increases the likelihood of experiencing statin-related myopathy, Alcohol can be linked to high cholesterol levels when consumed chronically, If you present with symptoms of liver injury at any point while taking statins seek medical advice immediately. Amgen USA, Thousand Oaks, CA. Alcoholism is a chronic illness, affecting over a million people in the UK alone. Patients using cholesterol medications and alcohol who have. Since heavy drinking also increases liver function, if combined with statins, this can lead to an abnormal rise in liver enzymes. Statins or other cholesterol medications work by lowering LDL (low density lipoproteins, or “bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides, or by raising HDL (high density lipoprotein, or “good” cholesterol). It also affects how certain drugs are absorbed in the liver and metabolized in the body. In this section, we explain how to detox safely. Statins may also lead to liver injury. These people include: • If you’re on other cholesterol-lowering medications, • Individuals with medical conditions such as hypothyroidism or neuromuscular disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Product Information. Due to the effect of statins on the function of your liver, mixing them with alcohol is not recommended. Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Sanofi-Aventis, Bridgewater, NJ. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Your doctor may prescribe statins if you have cardiovascular disease, or if your record of family history demonstrates a risk of cardiovascular disease. Juxtapid (lomitapide) is a medication used in patients with an inherited (genetic) type of high cholesterol known as homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Statins may worsen liver disease. [1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/statins/, [2] https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/blood-and-lymph/high-cholesterol, [3] https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/statins-list-of-common-types#side-effects, [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6761694/, [5] https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/do-alcohol-and-statins-mix, [6] https://health.gov/our-work/food-nutrition/2015-2020-dietary-guidelines/guidelines/appendix-9/. But low doses may not have any significant effects. Moderate and infrequent alcohol consumption may be acceptable if you stay within recommended daily guidelines. If you notice these side effects after taking statins, headache, nausea & vomiting, difficulty in speech, dizziness, diarrhoea constipation, muscle cramps, weakness, tenderness, or a rash, contact your doctor immediately.