Statins are a group of lipid-lowering agents, but positive effects of their administration are wider than the direct mechanism of decreasing cholesterol concentration. Indications for statin use are different types of dyslipidemias. The therapeutic target in LDL cholesterol concentration reduction depends on the patient’s clinical profile. During statin therapy it is important to be aware of its possible side effects, mostly muscular and hepatic. Nevertheless, situations in which cessation of statin administration is needed are rather rare. Current principles of dyslipidemia diagnosis, indications for statin use, lipid concentration goals and advice on how to proceed in the case of side effects are mentioned in the article.