Authors: Riccardo De Giorgi; Franco De Crescenzo; Edoardo Giuseppe Ostinelli; Philip J Cowen; Catherine J Harmer; Seena Fazel; Andrea Cipriani · Research

Can Statins Be Safely Used in People With Depression?

A large study examines the safety of statin medications in over 1 million primary care patients with depression

Source: De Giorgi, R., De Crescenzo, F., Ostinelli, E. G., Cowen, P. J., Harmer, C. J., Fazel, S., & Cipriani, A. (2024). Mortality and adverse events associated with statin use in primary care patients with depression: a real-world, population-based cohort study. BMJ Mental Health, 27, 1-8.

What you need to know

  • Statins appear to be safe for people with depression, with no increased risk of adverse effects
  • Statin users had lower mortality rates compared to non-users over a 12-month period
  • There was no evidence that statins worsen depression or increase risk of suicide

The Heart-Mind Connection

When you’re dealing with depression, the last thing you want is to worry about medication side effects. This concern has made some doctors hesitant to prescribe statins - cholesterol-lowering drugs - to people with mental health conditions. But cardiovascular health and mental health are closely connected, and people with depression face higher risks of heart disease. Now, an important new study provides reassuring evidence about the safety of these medications.

A Closer Look at the Research

Researchers analyzed health records of over 1 million people diagnosed with depression in England, comparing those who took statins to those who didn’t. This real-world study looked at what actually happens when people with depression take these medications outside of controlled trial conditions.

The study tracked participants for 12 months, monitoring for deaths, side effects, and mental health symptoms. Of the total group, about 90,000 people were taking statins while 960,000 were not. The statin users tended to be older (average age 68 versus 41) and were more likely to be male.

Key Findings

The results were encouraging. People taking statins had a 33-34% lower risk of death during the study period compared to non-users. While some previous research had raised concerns about statins potentially causing depression or anxiety, this study found no evidence of increased mental health problems among statin users.

During the first 6 months, statin users actually had fewer adverse events overall compared to non-users. By the 12-month mark, the rate of side effects was similar between groups. Importantly, there was no increase in depression symptoms, anxiety, sleep problems, memory issues, or suicidal thoughts among those taking statins.

What This Means for You

These findings suggest that if you have depression and need cholesterol-lowering medication, statins can be safely prescribed. The study helps address long-standing concerns about potential mental health side effects.

Your doctor may recommend statins if you:

  • Are over 40 years old
  • Have risk factors for heart disease
  • Have high cholesterol levels

The decision to start statins should involve a discussion with your healthcare provider about your individual risks and benefits. This study provides reassurance that having depression shouldn’t prevent you from receiving appropriate cardiovascular care.

Conclusions

  • Statins appear to be safe for people with depression and may help reduce mortality risk
  • The medications do not seem to worsen depression or increase other mental health symptoms
  • People with depression should feel confident discussing statin treatment with their doctors if indicated for cardiovascular health
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