Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins, taken by millions of people worldwide, are far safer than commonly believed, according to a major scientific review published in The Lancet. Researchers say patient information leaflets should be updated to reflect the evidence and prevent people from being unnecessarily deterred from using the life-saving medication.
The review, funded by the British Heart Foundation and led by researchers from the University of Oxford, analysed data from clinical trials involving more than 120,000 participants. The trials compared people taking statins with those given a placebo.
The findings show that statins do not cause most of the side effects frequently listed in medicine leaflets, including memory loss, depression, sleep problems, weight gain and impotence. Reports of these symptoms were almost identical among patients taking placebo pills, suggesting they were not caused by statins.
Statins are proven to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death globally, accounting for around 10 million deaths each year and about a quarter of all deaths in the UK.
Out of 66 potential side effects examined, only four showed any association with statin use, and only in a small number of patients. These included mild changes in liver blood tests, minor liver abnormalities, changes in urine tests and tissue swelling. Importantly, there was no increase in serious liver disease such as hepatitis or liver failure.
Muscle damage and small increases in blood sugar levels can occur with statins, but researchers emphasise these effects are rare. In some cases, statins may slightly accelerate the onset of diabetes in people already at high risk.
Lead author Professor Christina Reith said concerns about side effects have discouraged many people from starting or continuing statin treatment.
“Confusion and worry mean that many who could benefit either avoid statins or stop taking them,” she said. “This study provides strong reassurance that, for most people, the benefits far outweigh the risks.”
Senior author Professor Sir Rory Collins added that medicine information leaflets should be urgently revised to reflect the evidence, allowing patients and doctors to make better-informed decisions.
British Heart Foundation chief scientific and medical officer Professor Bryan Williams said negative publicity around unproven side effects has led to underuse of statins.
“These findings should provide powerful reassurance. Statins save lives,” he said.
Health experts stress that anyone experiencing symptoms while taking statins should speak with their doctor, rather than stopping medication without medical advice.
About the author
Sonam Wangchuk Extends Hunger Strike in India
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has entered the 26th day of his hunger strike, saying he has lost 11 kilograms but remains determined to continue until the government guarantees the safety of student protesters. Wangchuk, widely known as "Sonam Sir," has become the face of a nationwide movement led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding major education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over repeated examination paper leaks. The activist was removed from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday and admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he remains under medical care while continuing his fast. Hospital officials said Wangchuk is being treated by a multidisciplinary team and remains stable. They added that all medical care is being provided with his informed consent. Protests Continue Despite Police Crackdown Thousands of […]
Thousands Evacuated as France Wildfires Spread
Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes and holiday camps as fast-moving wildfires continue to spread across the Gironde region in southwestern France. Authorities say around 12,000 people have already been evacuated, while another 8,800 residents and visitors are being relocated as a precaution. According to local fire officials, the flames have destroyed approximately 3,100 hectares of land near the Bay of Arcachon, with strong winds and rising temperatures making firefighting efforts increasingly difficult. Most of those evacuated were visitors staying at campsites on the Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula, while additional campsites in nearby Claouey were cleared as the fire continued to spread. Officials say the evacuations have been carried out safely, with no injuries reported. Gironde Prefect Sophie Brocas confirmed that nearly 10,000 tourists were among those evacuated overnight. Authorities have also closed several roads and forest areas […]
Minab School Strike Leaves Families in Lasting Grief
The destruction of Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, southern Iran, has become one of the deadliest civilian tragedies of the recent US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Months after the attack, teachers, rescue workers, and grieving families continue to live with the devastating consequences. Amaineh Nademi, a 33-year-old primary school teacher, walks through the ruins of the school where she taught first-grade girls. Parts of the building remain standing, but much of it has collapsed into rubble. She recalls where each classroom, office, and prayer room once stood, saying the school is now a place marked by loss and sorrow. The strike occurred on 28 February during the opening hours of the conflict. According to the Minab prosecutor's office, 156 people were killed, including 120 children, a pregnant woman, and her unborn baby. It remains the deadliest reported single attack on […]
Kokou Ekouagou préside le collectif artistique Fragments Nomades
Après 27 ans de carrière artistique, le plasticien togolais Kokou Ekouagou franchit une nouvelle étape en devenant président du Collectif Fragments Nomades, une association française dédiée à la promotion de l'art contemporain et des échanges culturels. Créé avec l'historienne de l'art et artiste collagiste Lielie Sellier, le collectif ambitionne de renforcer les liens culturels entre le Togo, la France et d'autres pays à travers des expositions, des ateliers et des projets artistiques. Pour Kokou Ekouagou, l'art constitue un véritable outil de dialogue, de compréhension mutuelle et de rapprochement entre les peuples. Reconnu pour une carrière de près de trois décennies, l'artiste togolais a vu certaines de ses œuvres intégrer des collections internationales, notamment celles du Torrance Art Museum en Californie. Son travail explore des thèmes tels que l'identité, la mémoire, le brassage culturel et le vivre-ensemble. Au-delà de sa carrière […]
Le MO5 rend hommage à Tavio Amorin, 34 ans après sa disparition
À l'occasion du 34ᵉ anniversaire de la disparition de Tavio Amorin, le Mouvement patriotique du 5 Octobre (MO5) a publié une déclaration rendant hommage à l'ancien dirigeant politique, présenté par l'organisation comme une figure majeure de la lutte démocratique et du panafricanisme au Togo. Signé par son coordinateur général, Eloi Koussawo, le communiqué salue la mémoire de celui que le mouvement considère comme l'un de ses cofondateurs et renouvelle son engagement à poursuivre son combat politique. Le texte adresse également un message de soutien à la famille de Tavio Amorin, notamment à son fils. Le MO5 décrit Tavio Amorin comme un militant engagé pour la démocratie, la justice et l'unité africaine. L'organisation estime que son héritage continue d'inspirer une partie de la jeunesse togolaise et réaffirme sa volonté de défendre les idéaux qu'elle lui attribue. Le communiqué est accompagné d'un […]
Georges William-Kouessan plaide pour des réformes au Togo
Invité de l'émission « D12 » sur Pyramide FM, le président du parti Santé du Peuple, Dr Georges William-Kouessan, s'est exprimé sur plusieurs sujets d'actualité, notamment la lutte contre la corruption, le dialogue politique et les inondations qui touchent le pays. Concernant la décision de l'Autorité de régulation des commandes publiques (ARCOP) sanctionnant un agent de l'État pour fraude, avec un ministre entendu dans le dossier, l'opposant a salué cette mesure tout en estimant que la lutte contre la corruption ne pourra être pleinement efficace que dans un contexte d'alternance politique et d'institutions plus indépendantes. Le président de Santé du Peuple a également critiqué le fonctionnement actuel du Cadre permanent de concertation (CPC), qu'il juge insuffisamment ouvert au dialogue. Il appelle à une réforme profonde de cette instance ainsi qu'à l'organisation d'assises nationales réunissant les partis politiques, la société civile […]
Related
WHO reassures Tenerife over virus cruise ship
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has sought to reassure residents of Tenerife ahead of the arrival of the cruise ship MV Hondius, where several hantavirus cases have been detected. In a message addressed directly to people living in Tenerife, Tedros insisted that the current situation should not be compared to the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed that the public health risk remains low and confirmed that no passengers currently aboard the vessel are showing symptoms of the virus. The MV Hondius is expected to arrive at the port of Granadilla, in the Canary Islands, early Sunday morning. The ship’s arrival has raised concerns among local residents following reports of infections and deaths linked to the outbreak. So far, six confirmed hantavirus cases have been identified among passengers aboard the Dutch cruise vessel. One of the infected […]
IVF mix-up fears shake families
Beth and Laura, a British couple, have raised serious concerns after discovering that their two children—conceived through IVF in northern Cyprus—may not be biologically related to each other or to the sperm donor they had carefully selected. The couple chose a donor known as “Finn” from a Danish sperm bank, emphasizing to the clinic that they wanted both children to share the same biological father. Their first child, Kate, was born without raising suspicion. However, after the birth of their second child, James, noticeable physical differences led the parents to question whether the correct donor had been used. Years later, DNA tests confirmed their fears. The results suggested that neither child was related to the selected donor and, more shockingly, that the two children were not biologically related to each other. The discovery left the family distressed and searching for […]
Intermittent Fasting Offers Limited Weight Loss Gains
A large review suggests that intermittent fasting may not help people who are overweight or obese lose significant weight. The practice, which involves fasting on some days and eating normally on others, appears to make little difference to weight loss or overall quality of life. Intermittent fasting includes approaches like the 5:2 diet or eating only within a daily time window of about eight hours. Researchers analyzed 22 studies covering nearly 2,000 adults over periods up to 12 months to compare intermittent fasting with standard dietary advice or no guidance. The findings showed that intermittent fasting produced almost no advantage over traditional diets focused on reducing calories and eating healthier. Its effects were also similar to doing nothing at all, although its impact on quality of life remains uncertain. Lead author Luis Garegnani from Universidad Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires […]
Period blood test shows promise for cervical screening
Researchers say that menstrual blood could become a practical tool for cervical cancer screening, offering a simpler and less invasive alternative to current testing methods. At present, cervical screening in the UK requires a healthcare professional to collect cells directly from the cervix. However, about one in three people invited for screening do not attend. The proposed new approach would allow samples to be collected at home using menstrual blood absorbed on a specially designed strip placed in a sanitary pad. Charities focused on cervical cancer describe the idea as promising, noting that more comfortable testing options could help improve participation, although they stress that the research is still in its early stages. In some parts of England, the NHS already sends self-sampling kits to individuals who have missed multiple screening appointments. These kits, which use vaginal swabs, are expected […]
What happens after stopping weight-loss injections
Weight-loss injections have transformed the lives of many people who struggled for years to shed excess weight. By suppressing appetite and reducing constant hunger signals, these drugs have helped users lose significant weight when traditional dieting failed. However, a growing question remains: what happens when the injections stop? GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, work by mimicking a hormone that regulates hunger. For many users, this means the persistent urge to eat fades, allowing better control over food choices. The results can be dramatic, bringing not only physical changes but also improved confidence and wellbeing. Yet these medications are relatively new, and their long-term effects are still being studied. With around 1.5 million people in the UK paying privately for the injections, long-term use also comes with a heavy financial cost. As a result, many users eventually consider stopping, […]
Abuse Survivor Begs Elon Musk to Stop Child Exploitation on X
survivor of child sexual abuse has appealed directly to Elon Musk to stop the circulation of images of her abuse on his social media platform, X. The woman, identified only as “Zora” for her safety, said the continued trade of her abuse images online is devastating. “Hearing that my abuse—and the abuse of so many others—is still being circulated and commodified here is infuriating,” Zora said. “Every time someone sells or shares child abuse material, they directly fuel the original, horrific abuse. My body is not a commodity. It never has been, and it never will be.” Zora was first abused by a family member more than 20 years ago. A collection of images from that period has since become widely shared among child exploitation networks. In response, the platform said it has “zero tolerance” for child sexual abuse material […]