Lipitor and anemia?

[Roland99]

I've been going to the internets and using the Google to find some info on Lipitor and it being a possible cause for hemolytic anemia but not having much luck. Best thing I found was something at rxmed.com that mentioned hemolytic anemia in a section on possible hypersensitivity side effects.

I've reason to believe it *may* be responsible for my brother-in-law being in the hospital at the moment with idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Got a bit scary over the weekend but the Red Cross has found some blood that closely matches his (problem has been the antibodies).

Thought I'd check the vastness of DU and see if anyone knows of any research into this area...

[Matsubara]

1. My brother started on Lipitor after his heart attack at age 31 (!)

Needless to say, having high cholesterol myself, it piqued my interest, so I looked into it, but the high cost and side effects made me leery of it.

So I went to the health food store and stocked up on Red Yeast Rice, Policosanol and Vitamin B, and within weeks my cholesterol was down to normal levels. I also used ground flaxseed.

The natural remedies can work - it's worth a try, if your BIL's doctor would okay it. I have not had heart troubler (knock wood) so I didn't have anyone telling me "no".

[Vinca]

4. I'm with you. I wouldn't take a statin drug even if I could afford to.

There's an interesting article re anemia drugs and piles of money in the New York Times. Follow the money.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/09/business/09anemia.html?_r=1&em&ex=1178769600&en=a23897f30639e6cc&ei=5087%0A&oref=slogin

[MannyGoldstein]

9. Red Yeast is Simply A Statin Drug

Lovastatin, I believe. The yeast happen to make it.

But nutraceuticals are not nearly as well regulated as pharmaceuticals (not that pharmaceuticals are problem-free).

Caveat emptor.

[screembloodymurder]

13. That's right.

It's riskier than a statin.

[Matsubara]

14. The only side effects I ever had was Niacin Flush

I was apparently taking the wrong kind. I really freaked out when it happened, thought I was seriously ill. Feels like your whole skin is on fire!

But an hour later I was fine...

[Jeffersons Ghost]

2. ...

Did the red cross determine his species before attempting to match blood type?

[TZ]

3. Lipitor's pretty effective actually

Most of the possible sides have to do with liver issues, really. The idiopathic anemia actually sounds more like there is some bone marrow issues, which might be totally unrelated. Why would you suspect the Lipitor, I am curious? Any good doctor does routine blood testing when you are on Lipitor and other statins, and had the drug been causing the problem it would have shown up in the blood with the enzyme levels.

[Roland99]

5. Well, a couple of reasons...

1) back in Oct last year his hemoglobin level came back at 11.9 which is a little below average but apparently not enough so to cause concern. Fri. night, though, it was at 5.9 and he was admitted and put on Prednisone.

2) There was something else my sister relayed to me of a more intimate nature (something a little blue pill called Viagara is known to help fix) that had happened several months prior.

Just my curious nature and concern for his health and wanting to cover all possibilities I guess.

[TZ]

6. Do you know if they tested him for ANA?

Anti-nuclear Antibodies--its a kind of thing you see with Lupus (which my sister has and is also on Prednisone) and some other autoimmune issues. I am not trying to give any kind of medical advice here but I would do some research on Lupus and related autoimmune diseases and see what you dig up.

[Roland99]

7. I don't know. I'm going back by the hospital on my way home today to get more details.

My sister has barely had time to do much other than answer her phone from everyone calling to see what's going on.

[MannyGoldstein]

10. Incredible Stuff: Cuts Death Rate By More Than 30%, IIRC

Only thing that's proven better at preventing deaths is fish oil.

[bananas]

8. An astronaut wrote a book about statin side effects

He's also a medical doctor,
and suffered total global amnesia from lipitor.

Duane Graveline MD MPH
Former USAF Flight Surgeon
Former NASA Astronaut
Retired Family Doctor

http://www.spacedoc.net/medicine.html
http://www.spacedoc.net/lipitor_thief_of_memory.html
http://www.spacedoc.net/lack_energy_statins.htm
http://www.spacedoc.net/sexual_side_effects_statins.htm

[NNN0LHI]

11. Haven't researched it but I have taken it for years with no side effects so far

</fingers crossed>

Don

[MannyGoldstein]

12. Is He On Plavix?

A friend's father seems to have had anemia caused by Plavix.

[Roland99]

15. Don't believe so.

[Roland99]

16. Well, fwiw, they are starting a blood transfusion here "shortly"

Not sure what "shortly" translates to in hours:mins. ;)

(crossing fingers)