Statin drugs work in the liver, which means it is important to use caution with alcohol while taking these drugs.

The Food and Drug Administration lists liver damage as one of the potential dangers of taking statins. This liver injury is considered rare. Patients suffering from fatigue, loss of appetite or any other symptoms that point to liver problems are advised to contact their doctors. The FDA suggests that patients be checked for liver damage before starting to take statins.

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Mayo Clinic doctors advise that people who drink more than a moderate amount of alcohol will be more likely to face some of the negative side effects of taking statins. For women, that amounts to one drink a day. For men under 65 years of age, it amounts to two drinks a day.

While moderate consumption of alcohol is considered heart healthy, any alcohol consumption while on cholesterol medication can increase the risk of liver damage and should be avoided.

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Scientists find that people who engage in risky alcohol consumption are less likely to stick to their cholesterol medication. That “risky” behavior included “high alcohol consumption” or “extreme drinking occasions.”

Statins are among the most widely used medications in the United States. Kaiser Health News reports that according to some cholesterol guidelines, about half of Americans over the age of 40 should be on the drugs. That could include about 56-million people.

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