Side-effects alert for all statin users as drug is linked to depression and memory loss

http://www.prisonplanet.com/side-effects-alert-for-all-statin-users-as-drug-is-linked-to-depression-and-memory-loss.html

Jenny Hope

UK Daily Mail
Monday, Nov 9th, 2009

New health warnings are to be issued over popular cholesterol-lowering drugs after evidence that thousands of users suffer side effects such as depression and sexual problems.

More than six million adults who are prescribed statins by their GPs will be told about five new ‘ undesirable effects’ in leaflets issued with packets of the drugs.

These are sleep disturbances, memory loss, sexual dysfunction, depression and a rare lung disease that can kill if left untreated.

But some doctors have criticised delays by the Government’s drug safety watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

The MHRA signalled the need for updated warnings in February last year but disagreements about the wording have held up the changes.

Full article here