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Cheap statins may treat a debilitating intestinal problem that can leave patients regularly needing to use the toilet, a study suggests.
Stanford University researchers have found that atrorvastatin — sold under the name Lipitor for just 54p a pill — can help ease the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
Their data showed those given the drug, normally used to lower cholesterol, were half as likely to need surgery or be hospitalised as patients receiving normal care.
Ulcerative colitis occurs when the colon and rectum become inflamed and ulcerated. It is the most common type of bowel disease.
It may lead to symptoms including diarrhoea, stomach pain and regularly needing to use the toilet, and is currently only treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.
One in 400 people in the UK have the condition, which is about the same rate as in the US. About a third of patients end up needing surgery.
Stanford University researchers have found that Atrorvastatin — sold under the name Lipitor for just 54p a pill — can help ease the symptoms of ulcerative colitis patients.
In the study, the researchers combed through databases containing hundreds of patients who had received a colon biopsy.
They looked for drugs that patients had received which reduced the severity of their symptoms.
