Statins are drugs that can lower your cholesterol. They work by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol. Certain statins are associated with a higher incidence of myopathy. These medications have also been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. Remember that statin medications can reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke, and the risk of life-threatening side effects from statins is very low.If you have read about the potential side effects of statins, you may be more likely to blame your symptoms on the medication, whether or not they're truly caused by the drug.Even if your side effects are frustrating, don't stop taking your statin medication for any period of time without talking to your doctor first. Lowering cholesterol isn't the only benefit associated with statins. Pharmacists should continue to counsel patients on the risk and warning signs of statin-associated myopathy, as the incidence underscores the need for pharmacists to play a direct role in the monitoring of statin therapy in the inpatient and outpatient setting.

The highest predictors for myopathy were a previous history of muscle pain during lipid-lowering therapy, unexplained cramps, and an elevation in CK concentrations. Rhabdomyolysis can cause severe muscle pain, liver damage, kidney failure and death. Previous statin recommendations: • Statins recommended for patients if ≥ 10% 5-year risk of ASCVD or have diabetes and over age 40. These side effects reverse once you stop taking the medication. The risk is small but important enough that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning on statin labels regarding blood glucose levels and diabetes.The increase generally occurs when blood sugar levels are already higher than normal and fall in the prediabetes or diabetes range when you begin taking a statin.Statins prevent heart attacks in people with diabetes, so the relevance of the mild increase in sugar values with statins observed in some people is unclear. There is limited evidence to prove a cause-effect relationship, but talk to your doctor if you experience memory loss or confusion while taking statins.There has also been evidence that statins may help with brain function — in people with dementia, for example. Copyright © 2000 - 2020 Jobson Medical Information LLC unless otherwise noted. • Use shared decision making if patient has moderate ASCVD risk (5–10%) over 5 years, LDL cholesterol > 190 mg/dL. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Statins play a vital role in the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular complications, and statin therapy continues to be a mainstay in treating patients with dyslipidemia. Sometimes, taking a combination of cholesterol drugs can provide the same result with lower doses of statins. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.© 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Accessed January 10, 2012.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Proper assessment of patients will assist in the recognition of patients at risk. One proposed mechanism suggests that decreased cholesterol concentrations secondary to statin therapy may result in alterations in myocyte membrane cholesterol. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.The FDA warns on statin labels that some people have developed memory loss or confusion while taking statins. The pain can be a mild discomfort, or it can be severe enough to make your daily activities difficult.However, researchers have found a "nocebo" effect when it comes to perceived muscle pain and statins. Monitoring is important at the time of initiation, as baseline elevations in CK levels are not uncommon and the knowledge of this prior to starting statin therapy may be helpful should a patient develop muscle symptoms while on statin therapy.Neither the ACC/AHA/NHLBI nor the NLA recommends routine CK level monitoring in all patients after beginning statin therapy, but instead recommends obtaining CK level only in patients who develop muscle symptoms while on statin therapy.Alternatively, according to the NLA, statin therapy should be discontinued in patients who develop intolerable muscle symptoms regardless of CK level. No ASCVD and no ASCVD risk factors: Moderate-intensity statin; No ASCVD with ASCVD risk factors: At the least, moderate-intensity statin. intensity statin. All rights reserved. The ACC/AHA/NHLBI recommendations include baseline monitoring of CK levels for all patients being initiated on statin therapy. US Pharm. 2012;37(2):55-59.. From 2006 to 2010, the number of dispensed prescriptions for lipid regulators, which primarily include statins, has continuously increased from 210.4 million to 255 million. Risk factors include:Grapefruit juice contains a chemical that can interfere with the enzymes that break down (metabolize) the statins in your digestive system. While you won't need to eliminate grapefruit entirely from your diet, ask your doctor about how much grapefruit you can have.Some drugs that may interact with statins and increase your risk of side effects include:There are many drugs that may interact with statins, so be sure your doctor is aware of all the medicines you take when being prescribed with statins.To relieve side effects believed to be caused by statins, your doctor may recommend several options.

While many patients may self-treat their symptoms with analgesics or pain relievers, any sudden unexplained muscle weakness or other symptoms should be conveyed to their physician. Consider other cholesterol-lowering medications. You wouldn't need any additional liver enzyme tests unless you begin to have signs or symptoms of trouble with your liver.Contact your doctor immediately if you have unusual fatigue or weakness, loss of appetite, pain in your upper abdomen, dark-colored urine, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.It's possible your blood sugar (blood glucose) level may increase when you take a statin, which may lead to developing type 2 diabetes. From 2006 to 2010, the number of dispensed prescriptions for lipid regulators, which primarily include statins, has continuously increased from 210.4 million to 255 million.Myopathy is defined in various ways. Statins block a substance your liver needs to make cholesterol.