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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Andrew Gregory Health editor

Most statin side-effects not caused by the drugs, study finds

Several different types of statin tablets in different colours
The study showed the risk of most listed side-effects of statins were minimal while the benefits far outweighed potential harms. Photograph: Kumar Sriskandan/Alamy

Almost all side-effects listed for statins are not caused by the drugs, according to the world’s most comprehensive review of evidence.

Other than the well-known risks around muscle pain and diabetes, only four of 66 other statin side-effects listed on labels – liver test changes, minor liver abnormalities, urine changes and tissue swelling – are supported by evidence. And the risks are very small, according to the systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Lancet.

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