Why does statin cause muscle pain

For example, start with rosuvastatin 2. If you can tolerate it, add 2. Another option is to stay on the twice-weekly schedule and raise the dose to 5 mg. Cho says. These powerful drugs can lower LDL to rock-bottom levels without triggering muscle pain.

The only disadvantage is price. PCSK9 inhibitors are expensive, and some patients have difficulty getting their prescription approved. Statins are effective for preventing heart attacks and strokes, but some people stop taking them because of side effects. This serious muscle wasting condition is rare and occurs in a fraction of patients. While there are several theories as to why statins may cause muscle pain, none have been confirmed.

Research has shown that the gene atrogin-1 may be the source of muscle pain in those taking statins. This gene turns on at the beginning stages of the breakdown of muscle, which is associated with illnesses such as cancer , sepsis , and AIDS. Research has also shown that people taking Mevacor lovastatin have higher levels of atrogin-1 than those not taking the drug.

When the drug is removed from the cells, it does not appear to cause muscle damage. Additionally, scientists may be able to manipulate this gene, or others involved, to prevent muscle damage caused by statins. Another theory is that statins can potentially interfere with the production of CoQ10, a coenzyme in the muscles. Research has suggested that taking CoQ10 supplements might lower your chances of experiencing statin-related myopathy, but available data is still not sufficient enough to back this up.

High-dose simvastatin brand name Zocor appears to present a higher risk for muscle pain than other statin drugs. The risk appears to be significantly lower with Lescol fluvastatin , Pravachol pravastatin and Crestor rosuvastatin. As such, it's recommended that the dosage of simvastatin be limited to 40 milligrams mg per day, which can reduce the risk of muscle problems.

Statin-related muscle problems are more likely to occur in people who exercise vigorously, especially if they begin to do so at a rapid rate rather than slowly building up intensity.

It is also more common in people taking a variety of other medications, including Lopid gemfibrozil , as well as steroids, cyclosporine, or niacin. Furthermore, studies have also shown that people with vitamin D deficiency also tend to experience muscle problems with statins more frequently than others.

Some experts have reported that administering vitamin D to these people helps ease these symptoms. People who have the muscle disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ALS are also at higher risk for muscle pain while taking statins.

Millions of Americans take statins because they effectively target all aspects of one's lipid profile by lowering low-density lipoprotein LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while raising high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol. They also reduce the chance of stroke and heart attack. Because of these benefits, the decision to stop taking statins because of related muscle pain is carefully considered.

If you have started statins and experience muscle pain, see your healthcare provider. While it may be likely that it is indeed the drug that is causing your discomfort, they will consider the possibility of other causes as well. Your practitioner will likely also test your blood for increased creatine kinase CK levels—an indicator of rhabdomyolysis.

If detected, statins will be stopped right away. They may suggest stopping treatment only briefly until the problem resolves, or not at all. Sometimes switching to a different type of statin can resolve muscle-related pain and side effects, so your practitioner may recommend this if you're in search of relief. Statins are medication people take to lower their cholesterol and treat heart disease. They may interact with compounds in grapefruit juice.

Some cholesterol-lowering drugs work best when a person takes them in the evening, while others are equally effective in the morning. Learn more about…. Statins are a medical treatment for high cholesterol, while fish oil is a dietary supplement. Learn how fish oil and statins differ. What causes statin muscle pain, and will it go away? Causes Symptoms Risk factors Will it go away? Pain relief Statin alternatives Complications Contacting a doctor Summary Statins are a type of drug that lowers cholesterol levels in the blood.

What causes statin muscle pain? What does it feel like? Risk factors for statin side effects. Will the muscle pain go away? How to reduce pain. Statin alternatives. When to contact a doctor. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Related Coverage. The uses and risks of statins. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, PharmD. Can you take statins and drink alcohol?

They are routinely recommended for people who have cardiovascular disease and for many people ages 40 to 75 who don't have cardiovascular disease but have at least one risk factor high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or smoking and a 7. Moreover, recent research indicates that they may benefit high risk individuals over age 75 as well. Taking a statin may give you some assurance that you're doing all you can to avoid heart attack and stroke, but you may also experience side effects.

Reported side effects include an increased chance of developing diabetes — which is largely restricted to people who are already at risk for diabetes, and who can be monitored with glucose or hemoglobin A1c tests. Statin use has also been associated with difficulties with memory and reasoning, although there is no clear evidence that the drugs were responsible. In very rare cases, statins may cause liver problems or a potentially life-threatening breakdown in muscle cells.

However, the most common side effect is muscle pain and cramping. It is unclear why these symptoms may be more common in women, but it could be because they tend to be older, have smaller bodies, and more additional health issues than men do when they begin to take the medications.

Women are also more likely than men to have undiagnosed low levels of thyroid hormone, which increases the risk of statin-related side effects.

Keep track of any new symptoms that develop when you begin taking a statin, and report them to your doctor. Some symptoms may go away as you continue to take the medication.

If you're taking the statin preventively, your doctor may try to determine if your muscle pain symptoms are actually due to the statin by suggesting a brief holiday from the drug to see if they disappear when you're not taking it.

However, don't stop taking a statin without telling your doctor. Although there are no proven remedies for statin-related muscle pain, the following may help. There is some evidence that people who have exercised regularly before taking statins are less likely to experience muscle pain and cramping.