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Statins and Muscle Pain
Find out the facts about the worlds most prescribed drugs – Statins, including the benefits and possible risks/side effects.
One of the more common side effects of statins, is muscle aches and pains. Statins and muscle pain has been the subject of various studies and reports over the years. Depending on which report or study you read, you’re opinion and understanding may be quite different.
There is certainly a link between statins and muscle pain and it is a side effect you should be aware of. The muscle pain and/or weakness are also referred to as ‘statin myopathy’ or ‘muscle myopathy’. Muscle myopathy simply means ‘muscle disease’ and ranges from mild myalgias, or muscle pains, to a life-threatening condition known as rhabdomyolysis.
Rhabdomyolysis causes skeletal muscle damage and releases myoglobin into the bloodstream. The myoglobin can cause severe kidney failure or even death if it is not properly treated. Although it is a serious condition, it is extremely rare and will affect less than 1 in 10,000 people who take statins.
In 2002 and 2008, the FDA issued warnings about the increased risk of rhabdomylosis when statins are used in combination with heart medication containing amiodarone. In 2001, the statin-based drug Baycol was removed from the market due to its links with rhabdomyolysis.
The chances of experiencing muscle pain and tiredness while on statins increases the older you become, with higher doses and while taking other medications that may interact with statins. These symptoms will usually appear within the first few months of initiating statin therapy and normally disappear once the course is complete.
Conclusion
It seems like there is an approximate risk of between 1 and 5 percent or 1 in 1,000 of developing varying degrees of muscle pain. If you do happen to develop pains or weaknesses, then the severity, in most cases will more than likely be a ‘discomfort’ rather than severe pain.
It is something to take into account and be aware of and seek further medical advice if you do experience any such symptoms whilst taking statins.
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This is good information for people to know, but as I understand it, statins are used to lower cholesterol. Therefore, the choice is often between some muscle pain and high cholesterol(heart attack).
I hate this about our drug industry, but people are often forced to choose the lesser of two evils.
Nice article. Although these supplements are sold without prescription, side effects may be sometimes be very serious
O yes, these are very important facts to know. I happen to feel tired and really sorry to see more and more people hoping and expecting some far out results from different drugs and supplements , in my fitness and body building it is really common thing to see. One word more BE AWARE there are no magic pills and ALL need to be taken acc. to prescribed method IF you have to take them at all
I used to suffer terribly with night time leg cramps until I started taking a natural supplement that contained quinine. Although I’m not taking a statins drug I’m sure it would also benefit people suffering from muscle pain due to statins.
Check out my website if you would like to know more.
Thanks,
Sarah
It doesn’t sound like it is worth taking at all in my opinion. Anything that has side effects like these should be avoided. People got on fine before all these drugs were discovered so why do we need them now?