Statin medications, widely prescribed for high cholesterol, work in your liver to block a substance needed to make cholesterol. But there are side effects with these medications, such as elevated liver enzymes and muscle pain and tenderness. If your doctor prescribes a statin for you, you will need to have your blood tested frequently for these conditions.
The Diabetes Association promotes the use of statins as a precautionary measure against heart disease, whether or not a patient's cholesterol is within the normal range. Guidelines from the American College of Physicians advise that most diabetics with heart disease or heart disease risk factors - such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity or smoking - be placed on a statin medication.
Recently, statins have come under scrutiny because some members of the medical community believe there is not enough evidence to show the benefits outweigh the risks of these potent medications. For diabetics in particular, statins can interfere with normal liver function. You and your doctor need to weigh the pros and cons of taking these medications and find the best treatment for you.
