Statins and Chemo Brain: What the Research Shows
If you’re going through chemotherapy, you might have heard the term “chemo brain.” It describes the forgetfulness, slower thinking, or trouble concentrating that many cancer patients experience during treatment.
At the same time, many people also take statins — medications like atorvastatin (Lipitor) — to lower cholesterol and protect their heart. Because both chemotherapy and statins can affect the body and brain, patients and caregivers often ask:
“Is it safe to take statins while I’m receiving chemotherapy?”
A 2025 study published in JAMA Network Open offers reassuring news. Researchers found that taking statins during chemotherapy with doxorubicin does not worsen thinking or memory — and may even help preserve brain health.
Inside the Study: How Statins Affected Cognitive Function
This research was a secondary analysis of the PREVENT clinical trial (Preventing Anthracycline Cardiovascular Toxicity With Statins). The trial included 238 adults with breast cancer or lymphoma who were receiving doxorubicin, a common chemotherapy drug.
Half of the participants took 40 mg of atorvastatin daily, and the other half took a placebo. The study lasted two years, and researchers measured key areas of cognitive function, including:
Attention (the ability to stay focused)
Verbal fluency (finding and saying words quickly)
Executive function (planning, multitasking, and flexible thinking)
Participants completed standard neurocognitive tests, such as the Trail Making Test and the Controlled Oral Word Association Test, before treatment and again at 6 and 24 months.
Results: Statins Did Not Harm the Brain
The findings were positive and consistent:
No decline in cognitive function was seen in either group over the 24-month study period.
Patients taking atorvastatin improved slightly in executive function, completing mental tasks faster than before.
Attention and verbal fluency improved in both the statin and placebo groups.
The study concluded that statins do not impair cognitive health when taken during chemotherapy — and may help protect brain performance.
Why This Matters for Cancer Patients and Caregivers
This study helps answer an important question for many cancer patients: Can I safely take a statin while getting chemotherapy?
The answer, based on current evidence, appears to be yes.
Statins — especially atorvastatin — are not linked to memory loss or mental fog during treatment. Instead, they might even provide some neuroprotective benefits because of their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
These findings are especially encouraging for women with breast cancer, who made up most of the study participants. The results showed no difference in cognitive outcomes between younger and older women, suggesting that statins may be safe for brain health before and after menopause.
Cautions and Future Directions
While this research is promising, the authors note some limits:
Most participants were well-educated White women, so results may not apply to all populations.
The study focused on specific cognitive skills, not overall memory or emotional well-being.
More research is needed in diverse and larger groups, including men and older adults with other cancer types.
Still, this large, well-designed study adds to growing evidence that statins can be used safely alongside chemotherapy.
Takeaway for Patients and Caregivers
If you or your loved one is taking a statin during chemotherapy, this study should bring reassurance. There’s no sign that statins worsen chemo brain — and they may even help maintain focus and mental clarity.
Always talk with your oncologist or cardiologist before changing any medications. But for many patients, continuing statins during cancer treatment may support both heart health and brain health.
Reference
For more information on how HuMOLYTE can support your gut health during chemotherapy, visit our product page or consult your health care provider.
This blog was reviewed by Dr. Sourabh Kharait.
This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan, hydration strategies, or diet. The information provided here is based on general insights and may not apply to individual circumstances.
