Statins may actually reduce mortality in some people who already have liver disease.

Serious liver injury is possible on statins, but this is quite rare.

Summary

Lipitor is the most commonly prescribed prescription medication worldwide.

Two women sitting at a table enjoying a glass of wine - stock photo

Dulin / Getty Images

It is used to lower cholesterol levels, thus guarding against heart attack and stroke.

In general, though, drinking low to moderate amounts of alcohol has not been shown to be harmful.

Rosenson RS.Statins: Actions, side effects, and administration.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.

Thapar M, Russo MW, Bonkovsky HL.Statins and liver injury.Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y).

2013;9(9):605606.

Bjornsson E.Hepatotoxicity of statins and other lipid-lowering agents.Liver International.

An Expert Panel Statement.Metabolism.

71:17-32. doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2017.02.014

Athyros VG, et.

An Expert Panel Statement.

2016;22(27):62016213. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i27.6201

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About moderate alcohol use.