Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs that some integrativein cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care, and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan oncologists use off-label to improve survival, although statins can have serious side effects.
Affordability and access
Prescription required?
- Yes. Oral statins are available with a prescription at pharmacies. The dose and formulation varies by the specific statin prescribed. Some, such as lovastatin, are available in extended-release formulation.
Other names or brands
Statins are also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Generic and brand names available in the US:
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- Pitavastatin (Livalo)
- Fluvastatin (Lescol, Lescol XL)
- Lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev)
- Simvastatin (Zocor)
- Pravastatin (Pravachol)
- Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Where to access
- Drug stores and pharmacies
- Online pharmacies
Affordability
- “Brand-name statin pricing ranges from $200–$500 for a month’s supply. Generic versions, which are equally effective, typically cost significantly less, ranging from $10–$50 per month.”1Parker C. Statins: How much do they cost, and how can you save? Optum Perks. October 29, 2023. Viewed June 11, 2024. Annual costs vary from US $120 to $6000.
- Insurance may cover costs; check with your insurance provider.
Commentary
Red yeast rice as a substitute for statins
Retired integrative oncologist and CancerChoices advisor Dwight McKee, MD: When I was in practice, I used red yeast rice › (RYR) that had adequate monokolin K content (which is identical to lovastatin). The pharmaceutical chemist who ‘invented’ lovastatin appears to have copied it from the yeast and knew of its long use in Chinese medicine for ‘excessive blood thickness.’ Several clinical studies in Asia have shown similar results in cancer control with RYR as with pharmaceutical statins.
I’ve never seen any of the typical statin side effects from red yeast rice, and it’s been shown to have similar anticancer effects as statins in preclinical studiestesting a drug, a procedure, or another medical treatment in isolated cells or in animals; preclinical evidence is considered only an initial indication of possible effects in people. One problem however, is that in the US the FDA forbids RYR that contains monocolin K, since that’s a known ‘drug’ (lovastatin). In the European Union, the regulation is the opposite—manufacturers can’t make any health claims about red yeast rice UNLESS they have an adequate content of monocolin K [and very low levels of citrinin, which is a mycotoxin that can develop during production].
High levels of citrinin often accompany low levels of monocolin K. Citrinin is toxic to kidneys (nephrotoxic) in animals, but not yet tested in humans. I would advise against buying RYR in a drug store or health food store, as FDA does not regulate for citrinin content. ConsumerLab.com ›, a private company that analyzes and publishes their findings on many RYR products, found low levels of monocolin K, and substantial levels of the mycotoxin citirinin, in many over-the-counter brands of RYR.
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References