Medications for Scleroderma, Arthritis, Autoimmune and Rheumatic Diseases-Statins

Medications for Scleroderma, Arthritis, Autoimmune and Rheumatic Diseases

This page was written by Janey Willis and has not yet been medically edited. See Disclaimer.

Overview
Medication Websites
About Medications
Medication Interactions
Alternative Medicine/Herbs/Vitamins
Anesthesia
Antibiotics

FDA Warnings on Medications and Treatments
Hormones
Immunostimulants
Mainstream Medications
Medicinal Metals: Gold, Platinum
Scleroderma Treatments
Vaccinations

Statins

Statins are a class of drugs that lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood by reducing the production of cholesterol by the liver. Recent findings have shown statins to offer some relief to patients with scleroderma and other rheumatic diseases.

Lack of effect of 8 weeks atorvastatin on microvascular endothelial function in patients with systemic sclerosis. Atorvastatin 20 mg/day, given for 8 weeks, was not associated with changes in microvascular function or structure. The large variation in outcome scores means that it is not possible to rule out an effect on the basis of this trial. Future studies should be of longer duration and include patients with early disease who are unlikely to have irreversible structural vascular disease. Hala Y. Sadik. Rheumatology. February 16, 2010.

Long-term beneficial effects of statins on vascular manifestations in patients with systemic sclerosis. This pilot study suggests that statins may be beneficial in treating vascular manifestations of SSc, such as Raynaud’s, through their pleiotropic effects. However, this treatment did not correct the defect in endothelial progenitor cells recruitment. Masataka Kuwana. (SpringerLink) Modern Rheumatology July 10, 2009. (Also see: Vascular Involvement, and Raynaud's)

Do FDA Statin Ad Rules Make Patients Fear Myopathy? Statins cause no more muscle pain than placebo in controlled trials, but many patients (and some physicians) remain convinced of a connection between these lipid-lowering drugs and muscle problems. J. Kelly. Musculoskeletal Report. January 12, 2009. (Also see: Myositis)

Simvastatin Reduces Endothelial Activation and Damage But Is Partially Ineffective in Inducing Endothelial Repair in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Treatment with simvastatin results in rapid and significant improvement of measures of endothelial activation, suggesting a potential role of statins in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease in SSc. Journal of Rheumatology. June 2008. (Also see: Raynaud's, and Causes of Scleroderma: Endothelin)

Statins and autoimmune diseases. In the recent years, pleotropic effects of statins have been reported, which include anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. PubMed. Autoimmun Rev. 2005 Mar;4(3):123-9.

Scleroderma Treatments and Clinical Trials ISN.