Drugs (other than statins) that deplete CoQ10

In February, we notified clients who take, or at one time, took statin medications (see email below). New research has shed light on the devastating effects that may occur if not supplementing with Co-Enzyme Q10 (Comprehensive Paper on Statins Adverse Effects Released and Cholesterol-Reducing Drugs May Lessen Brain Function).

What we forgot to mention is that there are medications other than statins that deplete CoQ10. Here is the list:

Amitryptyline (Elavil)
Beta Blockerss
Chloropromazine
Clonidine
Desipramine
Doxepin
Fluphenizine
Glipizide (Glucotrol)
Glyburide (Micronase)
Haloperidol (Haldol)
Hydralizine
Hydrochlorothiazide
Imipramine (Tofranil)
Nortryptyline (Pamelor)
Protryptyline
Tolazemide (Tolinase)
Trimipramine (Surmontil)
and of course, the entire class of Statins

Most Complete Review of Statin Safety Published.

You are receiving this email alert because our records show that you currently or may have at one time taken statin medication. If you are not taking statins, please ignore this alert unless you know a family member, friend, or co-worker who could benefit.

Find Bonnie's comments at the end of the article.
A paper co-authored by Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and director of UC San Diego's Statin Study group cites nearly 900 studies on the adverse effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) in American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs. The paper provides the most complete picture to date of reported side effects of statins, showing the state of evidence for each.

The paper also helps explain why certain individuals have an increased risk for such adverse effects. "Muscle problems are the best known of statin drugs' adverse side effects," said Golomb. "But cognitive problems and peripheral neuropathy, or pain or numbness in the extremities like fingers and toes, are also widely reported." A spectrum of other problems, ranging from blood glucose elevations to tendon problems, can also occur as side effects from statins. The paper cites clear evidence that higher statin doses or more powerful statins - those with a stronger ability to lower cholesterol - as well as certain genetic conditions, are linked to greater risk of developing side effects.

"Physician awareness of such side effects is reportedly low," Golomb said. "Being vigilant for adverse effects in their patients is necessary in order for doctors to provide informed treatment decisions and improved patient care." The paper also summarizes powerful evidence that statin-induced injury to the function of the body's energy-producing cells, called mitochondria, underlies many of the adverse effects that occur to patients taking statin drugs.

Coenzyme Q10 ("Q10") is a compound central to the process of making energy within mitochondria and quenching free radicals. However, statins lower Q10 levels because they work by blocking the pathway involved in cholesterol production - the same pathway by which Q10 is produced. Statins also reduce the blood cholesterol that transports Q10 and other fat-soluble antioxidants. "The loss of Q10 leads to loss of cell energy and increased free radicals which, in turn, can further damage mitochondrial DNA," said Golomb.

Because statins may cause more mitochondrial problems over time - and as these energy powerhouses tend to weaken with age-new adverse effects can also develop the longer a patient takes statin drugs. "The risk of adverse effects goes up as age goes up, and this helps explain why," said Golomb. "This also helps explain why statins' benefits have not been found to exceed their risks in those over 70 or 75 years old, even those with heart disease."

High blood pressure and diabetes are linked to higher rates of mitochondrial problems, so these conditions are also clearly linked to a higher risk of statin complications, according to Golomb and co-author Marcella A. Evans, of UC San Diego and UC Irvine Schools of Medicine.

Bonnie - how more does the cardiology community need to see? The least they can do is force the drug makers to put CoQ10 back into statins. The statin drug manufacturers had wanted to put CoQ10 in the original formula, but decided against it because they deemed it "too expensive." That decision may cost Big Pharma much more in injury litigation. If you are currently taking a statin and are not supplementing with at least 100 mg. of high quality CoQ10 that crosses the blood-brain barrier, I would highly recommend you doing so, even if you are not exhibiting symptoms. As this study reports, symptoms may not appear for a long time.