Lipitor / Statins Using Bad Statistics

[rahod]

Originally Posted by ZippyDawg

No significant adverse effects of statins?


Baycol Pulled From Market as Numerous Deaths Linked to It

Baycol is one of six "statins," a popular family of drugs prescribed to about 12 million Americans to treat, and possibly prevent, coronary heart disease. Reports of severe side effects, including death, are at least 10 times more common for Baycol than for other drugs in the class.

The FDA is currently not considering any regulatory action with regard to the other approved statins which are lovastatin (Me****r), pravastatin (Pravachol), Zocor (Zocor), fluvastatin (Lescol) and atorvastatin (Lipitor).

OK...AND what does BAYCOL have to do with all the other statins that are SAFE and currently utilized by millions? Baycol was not safe and so it was PULLED. Note that it had TEN TIMES the adverse effects than all other statins. Does that make all the rest unsafe? NO!! Again..you don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Zippy....I'm DONE. Statins are here to stay and I'm thankfull for that. This exchange is going NOWHERE as far as I'm concerned....ADIOS!

[zip2play]

rahod,

:ROFL

I was wondering how long you could stand it...certainly far longer than I!
:

[pcovers]

Originally Posted by ZippyDawg

No significant adverse effects of statins?


The maker of Baycol (cerivastatin), a popular cholesterol-lowering drug used by about 700,000 Americans, voluntarily pulled the medicine off the market August 8 because of numerous deaths associated with its use.

Officials at the Food and Drug Administration said 31 people have died...

"...each year the use of aspirin and other NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) accounts for an estimated 7,600 deaths..."

Let's see, 7,600 vs 31.

Should we remove aspirin and all other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well. If the logic holds, then we must - immediately.

[ZippyDawg]

Originally Posted by rahod

OK...AND what does BAYCOL have to do with all the other statins that are SAFE and currently utilized by millions? Baycol was not safe and so it was PULLED. Note that it had TEN TIMES the adverse effects than all other statins. Does that make all the rest unsafe? NO!! Again..you don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Zippy....I'm DONE. Statins are here to stay and I'm thankfull for that. This exchange is going NOWHERE as far as I'm concerned....ADIOS!

This is the statement you made. "Statins have now been around for over 15 years and have been taken by tens of millions world wide....WITHOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECTS. That's a simple fact that has stood the test of time. That's what I call a REAL LIFE TEST " Obviously your statement is incorrect since there currently are and have been serious adverse effects of statin use including death.

I am not against the use of statins or any other drug. As I stated before all drugs have potential side/adverse effects and you need to evaluate whether the benefit outweighs the risk before taking statins or any other drug. If you keep advising people to ignore the known risks of taking statins then how can anyone make a rational decision based on all the facts?

What I do object to is doctors prescribing statins without exploring alternative methods of improving cholesterol/lipids levels with weight loss, exercise, fish oil supplements and diet. If these methods do not achieve the desired results then statin therapy may be indicated. If I had blindly listened to my doctor almost four years ago I would have needlessly been taking statins for the rest of my life.

[ZippyDawg]

Originally Posted by pcovers

"...each year the use of aspirin and other NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) accounts for an estimated 7,600 deaths..."

Let's see, 7,600 vs 31.

Should we remove aspirin and all other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well. If the logic holds, then we must - immediately.

What are you talking about? The discussion is about inappropriate prescribing of statins and the risk/benefit ratio of using them. I haven't advocated that they should be removed or restricted from use for anyone. Why would I want to or even care if you choose to use a statin if you feel it is beneficial to you?