A recent study has found that the vast majority of side effects linked to statins are not actually caused by the medication. The research, which appeared in the medical journal The Lancet, analyzed data from 19 clinical trials involving 124,000 participants.

While 66 different side effects are currently listed for these cholesterol-lowering drugs, the researchers found strong evidence for only four of them, including muscle aches and an increased risk of diabetes. They found no evidence that statins cause the other 62 potential issues, such as memory loss or trouble sleeping.

The study's authors argue that drug labels should be updated to reflect these facts. This would help both doctors and patients make better decisions about their health. Ultimately, the researchers concluded that for most people, the benefits of taking statins are much greater than the very small risk of experiencing side effects.