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A statin is a prescription medicine used to lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in selected patients. Statins work in the liver, where much of the body's cholesterol is made. They are also called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Statins are commonly used with diet, exercise, and other heart-risk management steps.
read more about statin ...Statins block HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme the liver uses to make cholesterol. When the liver makes less cholesterol, it can remove more LDL cholesterol from the blood. Lower LDL levels can slow plaque buildup in arteries. This can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events for people who have high cholesterol or elevated heart disease risk.
Statins are used for people with high LDL cholesterol, known heart disease, diabetes with certain risk profiles, or a high calculated risk of heart attack or stroke. They can also be used after a heart attack or stroke to lower the chance of another event. The decision depends on cholesterol numbers, age, blood pressure, smoking history, diabetes, kidney disease, and prior cardiovascular disease. A clinician can match the statin type and dose to the risk level.
Common statins include atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, and pitavastatin. Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin can be used at higher-intensity doses when stronger LDL lowering is needed. Pravastatin and rosuvastatin have fewer CYP3A4 drug interactions than some other statins. Patients should tell the prescriber about all medicines and supplements before starting treatment.
Statins can cause muscle aches, digestive symptoms, headache, sleep changes, or mild liver enzyme changes. Rare but serious risks include severe muscle injury, liver problems, and increased blood sugar in susceptible patients. Grapefruit can interact with certain statins, especially simvastatin, lovastatin, and atorvastatin. Seek care for severe muscle pain, dark urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness, or signs of an allergic reaction.
Yes, statins lower LDL cholesterol by reducing cholesterol production in the liver and helping the liver remove LDL from the blood. LDL is the type often called bad cholesterol.
No, statins are also used to lower cardiovascular risk in selected patients. People with heart disease, diabetes, or a high risk of heart attack or stroke can be prescribed a statin even when numbers vary.
Yes, muscle aches can happen with statins. Severe muscle pain, weakness, or dark urine should be reported promptly because rare serious muscle injury can occur.
Do not stop a statin without talking with the prescriber. Cholesterol can rise again when treatment stops, and cardiovascular risk can change over time.
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Statins: How They Work & Side Effects. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22282-statins. Date Accessed June 3, 2026.
Statin Medications. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430940/. Date Accessed June 3, 2026.
Statin Side Effects: Weigh the Benefits and Risks. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013. Date Accessed June 3, 2026.
Label: LIPITOR- atorvastatin calcium tablet, film coated. DailyMed. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a60cc18b-0631-4cf0-b021-9f52224ece65. Date Accessed June 3, 2026.