Statin Use Increases the Risk of Herpes Zoster

A report from the British Journal of Dermatology found that those who were taking statin drugs had an increased risk for developing herpes zoster, which can cause severe ongoing pain.  Even patients whose last statin exposure was up to 36 months prior were at risk.  The authors recommended widespread use of the zoster vaccine.  However, the vaccine is not totally effective and is expensive.  Using alternative treatments for hyperlipidemia is another reasonable recommendation.

See British Journal of Dermatology 2017; 175: 1137-1138.

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