A new study by Canadian researchers adds to a growing pool of evidence that Lipitor and other types of cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins put patients at a higher risk of developing diabetes.
According to a story on CTV News, researchers published the results of their study in BMJ, a journal of the British Medication Association.
The story notes that previous research has spotlighted a possible link between taking some statins and diabetes, prompting Health Canada to change the labeling on the drugs so they reflect that risk.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also mandated a warning label on Lipitor, advising users that it may increase the risk of Type II diabetes and memory loss.
According to CTV, the Canadian researchers examined records of more than 470,000 people 66 and older in Ontario who did not have diabetes when they started taking a statin. The discovered that three particular brands, including Lipitor, seemed to increase the risk of diabetes.
Other types of the drug, including fluvastatin and lovastatin, didn’t appear to carry any increased risk.
The highest risk was found with higher potency statins such as atorvastatin, the generic name for Lipitor. The lead researcher is quoted as saying that’s a matter of concern, because many patients take the high potency varieties.
“In fact, atorvastatin is by far — by far — the most popular statin,” he said.
Patients should consult their doctors before making any changes in their medication. A consultation with a Lipitor lawyer is also important if there are significant injuries.
See the story here:
