'Nocebo effect' cause of most statin side-effects, study suggests

Negative expectations may play part, with adverse effects reported when taking placebo

Many of the side-effects attributed to statins could be down to the nocebo effect", which occurs when someone expects to experience negative symptoms - even if the drug is a placebo - a study suggests.

Statins are one of the most widely prescribed drugs in the UK, taken by nearly eight million people to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol levels.