Possible side-effects of medications

Caution on use of Atorvastatin for MS

The report below suggests that contrary to earlier reports of potential benefit, the cholesterol - lowering drug Atorvastatin may actually potentiate inflammation in some patients taking approved disease modifying medications (Interferons and Glatiramer Acetate). People with MS taking this medication and other lipid lowering drugs should consult their Neurologist/Doctor soon for advice on their particular circumstance.

To evaluate the safety and potential therapeutic effects of adding atorvastatin calcium to interferon beta-1a treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis, 29 patients were randomized to 6 months of treatment with placebo, atorvastatin 40 mg/day or atorvastatin 80 mg/day. Study subjects had been receiving subcutaneous interferon beta-1a for at least 6 months without toxicity.

The combination treatment appeared to be well tolerated, although two patients given high-dose atorvastatin withdrew due to myalgias and elevated liver enzymes. New and enhancing MRI lesions and/or relapses were seen in 9 of 13 atorvastatin-treated patients, but in only 1 of 9 placebo-treated patients.

New lesions were detected as early as 12 weeks and continued up to 12 weeks after drug discontinuation (Birnbaum, G. et al. Neurology [59th Annu Meet Am Acad Neurol (AAN) (Apr 28-May 5, Boston) 2007] 2007, 68(12, Suppl. 1): Abst S32.005).

The effect of statins on interferon signalling was evaluated in vitro in mononuclear cells, enriched primary monocytes and T-cells and U937 monocytoid and Jurkat T-cell tumor lines activated with interferon-beta or interferon-gamma alone or with atorvastatin. Atorvastatin inhibited P-Tyr-STAT1 induction by interferon-beta and interferon-gamma, possibly explaining the results of the clinical study above (Dhawan, N. and Reder, A.T. Neurology [59th Annu Meet Am Acad Neurol (AAN) (Apr 28-May 5, Boston) 2007] 2007, 68(12, Suppl. 1): Abst S59.005).