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Transient Global Amnesia (TGA), known as anterograde amnesia or the inability
to form new memories, has been linked to statin drugs such
as Lipitor, Zocor and Mevacor, which are used to lower cholesterol.
Statin-drug-associated memory dysfunction comes on suddenly
and also involves some degree of retrograde memory loss that
can go decades into the past. combined with varying degrees
of retrograde memory loss, sometimes for decades into the
past.
Doctors are largely unaware of this potential problem, which
could prove devastating for instance, as explained by the
article, if it were to happen to a pilot while flying or a
truck driver while driving. Along with amnesia, other memory
problems such as disorientation, confusion and forgetfulness
can also occur.
TGA typically occurs without warning, and most cases have
been reported from shortly after the statin drug was first
started, although cases have been reported after years of
use. As the use of statin drugs is steadily increasing, doctors
must be aware of the potential for impaired brain function
as a side effect of these drugs.
Duane
Gravline, M.D. June, 2003
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