Food and drug regulatory agency in the United States (FDA) will require the manufacturers of cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins, to declare on the packaging side effects of an increased risk of diabetes.
The decision was taken after many reports of patients taking statins increase blood sugar. "The FDA is also aware of any studies that show statins associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus," the FDA said in a statement issued Tuesday (28/2).
Some cholesterol-lowering drugs statins include Lipitor, Pravachol, Crestor, Zocor, and several other generic drugs.
"We want health care workers and patients get complete information about the risks of statins. But patients also need to be convinced that the drug is beneficial for lowering cholesterol," said Mary Parks, director of FDA's division of metabolism and endocrinology.
Pharmaceutical companies themselves say that the use of statins in combination with good diet and exercise will be effective for lowering cholesterol.
Another revision will be done in the statin drug packaging is the abolition of the recommendation for patients to check liver enzymes. According to the FDA, liver enzymes can be measured before patients start taking statins.
"A serious disturbance in the liver caused by statins is very rare and difficult to predict," the FDA said. Even so the patient should report to your doctor if you experience symptoms of liver disorders, such as abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine color, or yellow skin color.
The FDA also said the risk of memory loss and confusion when taking statins, but that risk can be eliminated if the consumption of statins is stopped.
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