Crestor and Muscle Aches: What Users Say

• Oak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2020

For High Cholesterol "Never been on a statin, early 50's, fit/active, recently prescribed Crestor 20mg once a day. Within 2-3 months, my muscles and joints became very sore. Think of how you feel the day after a hard workout, now I was feeling like that every day but never doing a hard workout. This was miserable. Went to my doctor and she suggested to stop it for 2 weeks and see if I feel better. By day 3, I already feel 80% better. I'm sure this works for some but sadly not for me."

• Res...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 26, 2013

For High Cholesterol "Taking 2.5 mg per day (that's half a 5 mg pill). This much lowered my cholesterol from 248 to 193, and LDL from 168 to 125. Not perfect but good enough. Started out with 10 mg a day that gave me muscle cramps and elevated liver enzymes (AST and ALT). Doc had me try some other statins but they all had the same effect. So we lowered the Crestor dose until the side effects stopped. Works great and no noticeable side effects."

• Bre...
• October 14, 2016

For High Cholesterol "For about 6 years, my physician prescribed Lipitor for high cholesterol. I couldn't take it due to muscle cramps. After that, I was prescribed Zocor, Pravachol, and finally the orange drink Colestipol. I always had adverse side effects so I decided to stop trying. I lost 20 pounds, but before the cholesterol dropped with any real significance, I regained the weight. The physician kept saying my cholesterol was dangerously high, but I did not want the side effects. I had to change insurance companies, which meant a new physician. This one said the same along with a bit of a lecture. She prescribed Crestor, 5mg per day. After 3 months with no side effects, it went from 280 to 155. I couldn't believe it. I am 60 years old."

• man...
• April 23, 2014

For High Cholesterol "LDL was 124. Took 10mg Crestor 3 times a week. Six weeks later my LDL is down to 54. Doc says to go down to 2 pills a week, which will maintain the lower cholesterol number. No muscle cramps or joint pains with taking it a couple times a week instead of every day and it's just as effective. Even if I did have cramps or joint pain, it would still be worth it to get my cholesterol down, reduce heart disease, and prevent dementia."

• jod...
• March 27, 2014

For High Cholesterol "I am a Type 1 diabetic and have had high cholesterol since being diagnosed 12 years ago. I am on a restricted diet and I do not eat eggs or meat yet my cholesterol was high (genetic). I hesitated to take any statins because I got a rash from Lipitor but finally agreed to take Crestor because last summer my stress test showed abnormalities (which were later disproven). However, I started on only 5mg. I started walking about 20-30 minutes a day a few times a week, and now, 8 months later, my total cholesterol was below normal and all other levels were within a good range. My endocrinologist was very pleased and said no reason to go up to 10 mg. I do sometimes get some joint pain in my wrist and ankles, and sometimes some muscle."

• DrR...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 28, 2013

For High Cholesterol "Have been on Crestor for over 5 years. Total cholesterol is 130 from 180. Increased my HDL slightly while lowering my LDL. Also took Niacin for years. Now only take Micardis. Yes, muscle cramps when I walk long distances. I'm 75 and just had a carotid ultrasound and totally clear of buildup. Liver enzymes are OK."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I had a massive heart attack 14 years ago and was put on Lipitor. I could not handle the muscle cramps. I was then put on Crestor, again, I could not handle the cramps. Years later, now, I have very high cholesterol levels and have been put on Crestor again but told to take it every second day, 10 mg, and to take ubiquinol a couple of hours before. This is coenzyme Q10. I still got cramping in my fingers and shooting pains up my arms, so I have cut it down to 5 mg every second day, and it seems to be tolerable. It seems I can handle a low dose. Hopefully, it’s better than nothing."