Statins & Side Effects: Not the Culprit?

New research challenges long-held beliefs about the side effects of widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A landmark review published in The Lancet has found that the vast majority of symptoms attributed to statins, including memory loss, depression, and sexual dysfunction, are no more common in those taking the drugs than in those taking a placebo. The comprehensive analysis of data from over 150,000 participants across 23 large-scale randomized studies suggests that many patients may be unnecessarily avoiding or discontinuing a potentially life-saving treatment due to fears based on inaccurate information.

Why it matters

Statins are highly effective at lowering 'bad' cholesterol and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, but concerns about their side-effects have persisted. This research provides the best evidence that statins do not cause most of the side effects listed in product leaflets, which could significantly improve patient adherence and reduce preventable cardiovascular events.

The details

The comprehensive analysis, led by researchers at the University of Sydney and Oxford Population Health, found that for 62 out of 66 conditions listed as potential side effects in statin package leaflets, there was no significant excess risk associated with the medication. This suggests that many patients may be unnecessarily avoiding or discontinuing a potentially life-saving treatment due to fears based on inaccurate information. While statins can cause a small increase in blood sugar levels and muscle symptoms in around 1% of patients, particularly within the first year of treatment, the benefits of statins in preventing heart attacks and strokes significantly outweigh the risks for the vast majority of patients.

  • The landmark review was published in The Lancet on February 13, 2026.

The players

University of Sydney

The institution where the lead researchers on this study are based.

Oxford Population Health

The research institute that collaborated on this study.

Professor Anthony Keech

Director of Cardiovascular Research at the University of Sydney and a co-author of the study.

Associate Professor Christina Reith

Researcher from Oxford Population Health and a co-author of the study.

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What they’re saying

“Although statins are highly effective at lowering 'bad' cholesterol and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in both men and women, concerns about their side-effects have persisted.”

— Professor Anthony Keech, Director of Cardiovascular Research at the University of Sydney (The Lancet)

“We found there is no significant excess risk with statins for almost all the conditions listed in statin package leaflets as possible side effects.”

— Associate Professor Christina Reith, Researcher from Oxford Population Health (The Lancet)

What’s next

Researchers are now calling for regulators to revise statin package leaflets to reflect the updated evidence, as outdated and overly broad warnings can contribute to 'nocebo' effects and reduce patient adherence.

The takeaway

This research offers a powerful message of reassurance for millions taking statins, as it suggests that the benefits of these medications in preventing heart attacks and strokes significantly outweigh the risks for the vast majority of patients. Open communication with healthcare providers and improved patient education are essential to dispel myths and promote informed decision-making.