New findings on statin-memory loss link Published: August, 2015 A study in JAMA Internal Medicine may help to explain the controversial connection between cholesterol-lowering medications and memory loss. Memory loss is just one of the possible side effects people may experience when taking Lipitor. However, less than 2 percent of people who take Lipitor report this as a side effect. Statins and memory loss Statins are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for high cholesterol in the United States. However, recently there have been concerns over their side effects. One of the most debilitating side effects associated with Lipitor (atorvastatin) is memory loss. Unfortunately, because the FDA did not warn about the risk of memory loss until February 2012, many people continued to take Lipitor while continuing to suffer from memory loss, amnesia, confusion, mental “fuzziness” and other serious problems. For millions of people, doctors prescribe statins, including such popular brand names as Lipitor, Zocor and Crestor, among others, to lower LDL or bad cholesterol. We know memory loss is a possible side effect directly following the surgery, but is a there a link between heart surgery and memory loss that occurs more than a year later or is there a link between memory loss and the medications he is taking? When my patient came back today to discuss management of cholesterol he mentioned a report on ABC News that only confirmed his suspicion that the Lipitor I had prescribed him was causing problems with his memory. In this article, our pharmacist discusses whether or not the cholesterol drug Lipitor (atorvastatin) causes memory loss and if it is reversible. While many people can avoid high cholesterol by maintaining a nutritious diet and exercise regimen, it may not be enough for others. Lipitor is currently one of the most popular drugs on the market for lowering cholesterol, however, it has a reputation for having deleterious effects on memory. I s memory loss one of the many Lipitor side effects that should concern you? Medical professionals are quick to chalk up memory loss in their cholesterol patients as another sign of advancing age.