Pfizer said it was still reviewing the new report, but noted that the safety and efficacy of Lipitor has been studied in more than 80,000 patients.

“Managing cardiovascular disease risk factors is complicated, and prescribing decisions should be based on a physician’s full assessment of each patient’s individual risk factors and needs,” said spokesman MacKay Jimeson.

Dr. Franz Messerli, who heads the hypertension program at two New York hospitals, St. Luke’s and Roosevelt, echoed the cautious message from the British researchers.

While statins are pretty safe drugs, Messerli said, they may cause muscle and joint pain in some patients. And their long-term effect on muscle tissue is unknown.

“If you have a very small benefit, you better make sure that the downside is minimal,” he told Reuters Health.

###

By Frederik Joelving

NEW YORK