Plethora of adverse drug reactions in geriatric population receiving statin therapy for dyslipidaemia

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia plays a major role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Statins are considered to be the most efficacious drugs in the management of hyperlipidemia and this class of drugs is most commonly prescribed for the treatment of hyperlipidemias. Although statin therapy has transformed the management of hyperlipidemia, it is associated with the skeletal muscle, neurological, and metabolic adverse effects. This study was conducted to evaluate the adverse effects of statin therapy in a geriatric population which may help in understanding whether these effects are dose-dependent. METHODS: The study was conducted on 200 patients receiving statin therapy (atorvastatin and rosuvastatin) for hyperlipidemias. They were divided into four groups depending on the prescribed dose of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. All study subjects were followed up for 6 months. The adverse effects reported by them during the statin therapy were documented and analyzed. RESULTS: All patients reported adverse effects after the initiation of statin therapy. Headache and muscle symptoms were among the most commonly reported adverse effects. There was no serious adverse effect (SAE). None of the adverse effects led to the discontinuation of the statin therapy. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that all patients receiving statin therapy experience one or more adverse effects during the therapy. The adverse effects were not found to be severe in the geriatric age group.