The Statin Debate Continues

Post by **tex** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 11:16 am

Hi All,

Anyone who is taking, or is contemplating taking a statin for primary prevention purposes, should read one of Dr. Briffa's latest blogs, (at the link below). Note that this advice does not apply to someone who is taking a statin because they have actually been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, and it probably doesn't apply for someone who has been shown to be at an elevated risk of stroke, either.

This quote is his final paragraph in that blog:

They end with this damning statement: “For a medicine to be recommended to healthy patients for a lifetime of use, there should be robust evidence that this regime will reduce suffering or extend life, and evidence that the benefit outweighs adverse effects. Until there is such data for statins for primary prevention, we will continue to classify it as an intervention without known benefit, but with definite risks, in our Less Is More series.”

http://www.drbriffa.com/2011/09/29/medi ... -for-most/

The red emphasis is mine, of course.

Tex

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 11:24 am

I wish I had access to that full article!

It's taking a great deal of fortitude not to zap it off to my statin-taking friend. (But if I had access to the full editorial, I would happily toss restraint out the window!) Oh wait - I should be putting that in my notes for my next chat with my doctor!

Thanks for sharing that, Tex. Do you think light will dawn?

Love,
Sara

Post by **tex** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 1:02 pm

Probably, someday, but doctors are very slow to change their thinking, so I'm not holding my breath. I suspect that they'll stop promoting such drugs for primary prevention, when most patients refuse to accept them, but it probably won't happen before then.

Love,
Tex

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 5:49 am

I have tossed my statins and the doctor will just have to live with my decision. Sure she won't be happy. Also, since she has me on both Spireva and Advair I have stopped the Spireva. About 1/3 of the capsules each time I get my script are duds. No reason in my mind for (2) inhalers and tired of copays.

Love, Maggie