Statins are popular cholesterol-lowering drugs which inhibit one of the enzymes that is central to cholesterol production in the liver. Medications such as Lipitor and Zocor have become widely used as a treatment for high cholesterol, which is linked to cardiovascular diseases. Now the FDA is requiring new warnings to be added to the labels of both brand name and generic versions of the drugs. The warnings will inform patients that memory loss, mental confusion, high blood sugar, and type 2 diabetes are among the possible side effects of taking statins. But FDA officials stress that the health benefits of the drugs far outweigh the possible risks. Read more »
