Title:Exploring the Management of Statin Intolerant Patients: 2016 and Beyond
Volume: 14
Issue: 6
Author(s): Niki Katsiki, Vasilios G. Athyros and Asterios Karagiannis
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Statins, intolerance, muscle symptoms, transaminases, creatine kinase, new-onset diabetes, side effects, ezetimibe,
proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 inhibitors, non-statin lipid-lowering drugs.
Abstract: Statins remain the cornerstone of lipid-lowering treatment. They significantly
reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in primary and secondary
prevention settings. Statin-treated patients may present adverse events (clinical and/or
biochemical) that can lead to treatment discontinuation or a reduction in the dose of
statins. Statin intolerance may appear at any time during the treatment. In each case,
secondary causes should be assessed and treated and lifestyle measures should be
implemented. Up to 3 different statins can be tried at a low dose; statin dosing everyother-
day or once weekly may be another option. Several non-statin lipid-lowering
drugs (ezetimibe, fibrates, colesevelam, niacin or proprotein convertase subtilisin
kexin-9 inhibitors) are available as monotherapy or in combination with statins to
achieve efficacy and tolerability.
