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What are the side effects of statins?

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 22, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

The most commonly reported side effects of statins include:

Other side effects, such as liver damage, are rare, and it is not necessary to have ongoing liver tests while you are taking a statin once you have had a baseline liver function test completed.

Statin Warning Signs

Examples of symptoms that might prompt you to see a doctor include:

Not everybody who takes a statin has side effects, but they tend to be more common in women, seniors, and people with liver or kidney disease. People who drink large amounts of alcohol or who take other medicines that may interact are also at a higher risk.

Statins and Muscle Pain

Statins do cause muscle pain, although the reported prevalence varies from 0.3 to 33% depending on the source. This variation may be due to the different ways muscle pain is described (such as muscle weakness, cramps, or muscle pain) and the fact patients are usually told to “Watch out for muscle problems!”, which tends to lead to an over-reporting of muscle complaints, commonly called the “nocebo” effect. Medical professionals estimate the true occurrence of muscle pain is approximately 50-100 out of 10,000 (0.5-1%) people treated over five years.

On very rare occasions, a life-threatening condition called rhabdomyolysis (rab-doe-my-OL-ih-sis), which is the rapid breakdown of muscle tissue, can occur.

Statins and Memory Loss

The link between statins and memory loss is controversial. Some large studies have shown no effect, and have implied that statins pose no threat and may, in fact, prevent dementia, whereas others found an association between statin use and memory loss and confusion, prompting the FDA to order labeling changes on all statins.

Statins and New-onset Type 2 Diabetes

Taking a statin may increase your blood glucose (sugar) levels which can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. People who take a statin are more likely to develop diabetes than people who don’t. However, in most cases, experts consider the benefits outweigh the risks.

Statins and Grapefruit Juice

Grapefruit juice increases blood levels of atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin, which actually increases the effectiveness of these drugs, but may also increase the risk of side effects. The manufacturer’s advice is to avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking statins.

Always consult with your physician or pharmacist before adjusting the dosage or taking any other medication, including over-the-counter or prescription drugs, herbal supplements, or vitamins.

Related questions

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Do statins cause rhabdomyolysis, and how is it treated?

Rhabdomyolysis is a rare but serious side effect of statins, a class of cholesterol-lowering medications. It involves the breakdown of muscle tissue, which releases substances into the bloodstream that can cause kidney damage. While statins are generally safe, rhabdomyolysis from statins is uncommon and most likely to occur at high doses or when combined with certain other drugs.

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When is the best time to take simvastatin?

The best time to take simvastatin is in the evening. This is because your body makes most of its cholesterol at night when you are not eating. One study that measured people’s total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins found that concentrations of these two lipids were significantly lower when simvastatin was taken in the evening, than when it was taken in the morning. Continue reading

Can I drink grapefruit juice with simvastatin?

You should not drink grapefruit juice with simvastatin because it can significantly increase blood levels of simvastatin and increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a condition called rhabdomyolysis, which is the excessive breakdown of muscle tissue. Occasionally, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and death. Continue reading

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