A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reports that the common complaints of muscular weakness and pain in patients taking statins are in fact due to structural muscle damage caused by the use of these medications. The statin drugs are the most widely used medications in the treatment of elevated cholesterol levels and in reduction of cardiovascular disease risk. By looking at muscle biopsies, researchers noted that those who have taken statins have significant muscle injury, compared to those who have never taken statins. There have been reports of people falling due to muscle weakness, as well as cases of decreased fine motor control. Most will regain muscle function after stopping the medication. However, a small group of patients may continue to have persistent muscle problems. Statins currently available in the US are Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Fluvastatin (Lescol), Lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev), Pravastatin (Pravachol), Rosuvastatin (Crestor), Simvastatin (Zocor). They are also found in the following combination drugs: Advicor (lovastatin + niacin), Caduet (atorvastatin + amlodipine), and Vytorin (simvastatin + ezetimibe).
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.